Labour will spend £381 million of taxpayer money on aid to Palestine over the next three years, 50 per cent more than the £250 million committed to protecting British Jewish communities, it has been revealed through ministerial questions.
The figures come amid a sharp rise in antisemitic hate crimes in Britain, which reached 3,700 incidents last year even as such offences declined in other Western countries.
Opposition criticism
Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel told the Daily Express: "Labour’s priorities are all wrong. This extraordinary funding, some of which will likely end up in the hands of the undemocratic and unaccountable Palestinian Authority, exceeds funding recently pledged for protecting British Jews from antisemitic violence and hatred. Labour Ministers must focus on using British leverage to help disband the abhorrent terrorist organisation Hamas and ensure reform of the Palestinian Authority, to provide a peaceful future for the people in the region. Labour’s overseas aid spending spree is likely to lead to more Labour tax rises to pay for their ideological foreign policy. Only the Conservatives will make £7 billion of cuts to foreign aid and prioritise British interests."
Reform MP Richard Tice said: "This is yet another example of Labour prioritising foreign citizens above our own. While British Jews are being threatened and attacked on our streets, we are expect to stump up 50% more to Palestinians. The first duty of any government is to it's own people."
Jewish community protection
British Jews have faced increased violence and threats in recent years, prompting the Government to pledge £250 million to increase policing and protect Jewish communities. Last year’s 3,700 antisemitic incidents contrasted with declining numbers in other Western nations.
William Yarwood, campaigns director of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: "taxpayers will be appalled that ministers have quietly signed off hundreds of millions more in foreign aid while families at home are being squeezed. Brits will rightly ask why £381 million can be found for Palestine while the government says every domestic priority is under pressure. The foreign aid budget must be defunded and the money spent on priorities here at home."
Government defends funding
Chris Elmore MP, who announced the aid package in parliament, said it followed a reflection on "how we are modernising and improving our approach to international development". He added that funding in Palestine was being prioritised because "humanitarian needs are most acute" in the region.
A Government spokesperson said: "We should not conflate the situation in the Middle East with the abhorrent attacks on British Jews. This government has invested £250 million to increase policing on the streets to protect Jewish communities and is taking tough action to tackle the root causes of antisemitism. We make no apologies for our work supporting fragile and conflict affected states and humanitarian crises across the world, including places like Palestine and Ukraine."
