Labour has ‘undermined Israel’ and made a Middle East WAR with IRAN more likely, ex-minister warns

Iran has repeatedly used threatening rhetoric towards Israel, called for the end of the Jewish state and referred to the country as a ‘cancer that needs removed.’

World leaders have repeatedly expressed concerns at Iran’s ambitions to possess nuclear weapons for this reason, with President Trump recently stating that if Iran acquires nuclear weapons ‘Israel is gone. It will be gone.'

Since the October 7th attacks by Hamas-led Palestinian groups, the wider region has entered a state of disarray with the Iran backed Hezbollah also launching attacks, firing 30 rockets at Israel on Sunday alone.

Speaking to GB News, Villiers said: “It is shameful that this Labour Government has chosen to abandon Israel, when it is defending itself from genocidal attacks by Hamas and other Iranian proxies.”

Villiers fumed: “We should be standing shoulder to shoulder with Israel at this crucial time, not undermining them.”

Labour has suspended 30 of the 350 arms licenses in operation, leading to widespread criticism from the party's political opponents who fear Keir Starmer’s decision risks destabilizing the region further.

Former Conservative Home Secretary Dame Priti Patel called the decision ‘appalling’ and accused the Prime Minister of not having the ‘courage to stand up to our enemies.’

Patel added: “This shocking betrayal of a key UK ally is a terrible indication of the UK’s approach to national security under this weak Prime Minister.”

The Labour government has come under pressure for other policy changes relating to Israel, after it restored funding to UN Palestinian relief organization UNRWA, despite opposition from the Israeli government.

In response, former Labour Defense Minister, Bill Rammell said: “This is the right decision. We support the right of Israel to defend itself. But there is a clear risk that in Gaza Israel is beaching international humanitarian law.

“So, it’s right to suspend those arms sales for weapons being used offensively in Gaza.”

But the decision to suspend arms sales to Israel is seen as a betrayal by many in the Jewish community, who voted for Labour only 8 weeks ago.

Offering his verdict on the decision, Chair of the National Jewish Assembly, Gary Mond said: “Israel is fighting a war against a powerful Islamist fundamentalist force, and it is in all our interests that it wins this war.

“Everything should be done to help Israel, not hinder it.”