Israel fighting the UKs proxy war says Kemi Badenoch

British opposition leader Kemi Badenoch has defended Israel’s continuing war on Gaza, describing it as a "proxy war on behalf of the UK."

In an interview with Sky News' Trevor Phillips on Sunday, Badenoch, now leading the Conservative Party, claimed that Israel’s war on Gaza aligns with Britain’s national interest, comparing it to "Ukraine [fighting] on behalf of Western Europe against Russia."

Badenoch dismissed international condemnation of Israel's military campaign and refused to criticise Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s inflammatory rhetoric. "I'm not here to police the language of the prime minister of Israel," she said.

Her remarks came shortly after a joint statement from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and French President Emmanuel Macron warned Israel earlier this week to end the "intolerable" human suffering or face "further concrete actions."

On Tuesday, the UK followed up by suspending trade talks with Israel, a rare but limited rebuke.

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When pressed on whether she was equating Israel’s bombardment of Gaza with Ukraine’s defence against a Russian invasion, Badenoch said: "Israel is fighting a war. It is not for me to police exactly how they are doing that…It is not a genocide, as people are saying."

Badenoch's comments triggered sharp criticism from British MP Ayoub Khan, who called them "morally bankrupt, dangerously disingenuous" and "a blatant attempt to spin false narratives and spread misinformation."

'Badenoch’s silence on the starvation of children...should deeply alarm every person of principle in this country'

- British MP Ayoub Khan

"Her comments reflect a disturbing pattern among certain politicians who, instead of advocating for truth and justice, choose to misrepresent reality and gaslight the public while innocent people continue to suffer," Khan told Middle East Eye.

"Badenoch is not offering thoughtful diplomacy; she is parroting the rhetoric of Israel's far-right government led by Netanyahu — the same Netanyahu the International Criminal Court (ICC) has requested an arrest warrant for, on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity," he added.

Last year, the ICC issued arrest warrants for both Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Meanwhile, the International Court of Justice is hearing a genocide case against Israel over its continued targeting of civilians in Gaza.

"Badenoch conveniently omits a key truth," said Khan. "The only times hostages have been freed have been through diplomacy and negotiated ceasefires. Today, 58 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza — yet thousands of Palestinians, including women and children, are held hostage by Israel."

'Disgraceful position from the Conservative leader'

Israel has maintained a blockade on humanitarian aid, sealing Gaza's crossings to food, medicine, and emergency supplies since early March. The enclave’s health system has collapsed, with international observers warning of mass starvation and disease.

'Her failure to condemn the brutal starvation policy against Palestinians highlights the continued anti-Arab racism of her leadership'

- Chris Doyle, Director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding

Phillips repeatedly challenged Badenoch over her refusal to criticise Israeli actions. "This morning it doesn’t sound like you’re criticising anything that the Israelis do," he said. Badenoch rejected the accusation but did not clarify where she disagrees with Israel’s military strategy.

"Badenoch’s silence on the starvation of children, the bombing of hospitals, and the detention of civilians — while defending those under international investigation for war crimes — should deeply alarm every person of principle in this country," said Khan.

Echoing these concerns, Chris Doyle, Director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, said: "This is yet another disgraceful position from the Conservative leader."

"Badenoch is siding with Netanyahu — a man wanted by the ICC for war crimes — as he carries out a genocide in Gaza, fulfilling the genocidal threats repeatedly made by him and his ministers," Doyle told MEE.

"Her failure to condemn the brutal starvation policy against Palestinians highlights the continued anti-Arab racism and Islamophobic stance of her leadership," he added.

Badenoch’s comments appear increasingly out of step with international consensus, as Israel's war on Gaza enters its 19th month, with nearly 54,000 Palestinians killed — the majority of them women and children.

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