Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer finds himself at the centre of a political storm during his diplomatic visit to Israel, facing mounting criticism over his party's position on British defence contracts with Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems.
Defence Deal Controversy Escalates
The controversy centres on the UK Ministry of Defence's £5.5 billion contract for Ajax armoured vehicles, which includes significant involvement from the Israeli defence technology firm. Critics have accused Starmer of failing to take a strong enough stance against the deal during his Middle East tour.
Speaking from Tel Aviv, where he met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and other senior officials, Starmer defended his approach to UK-Israel relations, stating his commitment to "building bridges rather than burning them."
Growing Pressure from Within
The Labour leader faces increasing pressure from within his own party, with several shadow ministers and backbenchers expressing concerns about the ethical implications of the defence partnership. This comes amid ongoing tensions in the region and calls for greater scrutiny of UK arms exports to Israel.
One Labour MP, speaking anonymously, told reporters: "This isn't just about political positioning - it's about maintaining our commitment to human rights and international law. We cannot ignore the consequences of these defence partnerships."
Government Defends Contract
Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has vigorously defended the Ajax programme, describing it as "vital for our national security and military capabilities." The Ministry of Defence maintains that all defence exports undergo rigorous assessment and comply with strict licensing criteria.
The Ajax vehicles, intended to replace the aging Scimitar and Spartan fleets, have faced their own technical challenges, with reports of excessive noise and vibration affecting crew safety. However, the involvement of Elbit Systems in the project's targeting and surveillance systems has drawn particular scrutiny from human rights organisations.
Diplomatic Balancing Act
Starmer's visit to Israel represents a delicate diplomatic balancing act as he seeks to maintain Labour's traditional support for Palestinian rights while engaging constructively with Israeli leadership. The defence contract controversy has added another layer of complexity to an already challenging diplomatic mission.
As the Labour leader continues his Middle East tour, which includes planned visits to Palestinian territories, the pressure is mounting for clearer statements on how a future Labour government would approach defence cooperation with Israel and handle existing contracts like the Ajax programme.
