‘Common’ to find ‘deep unease’ among British troops over Israel’s conduct in Gaza, military insider tells Declassified
An internal British army media report has acknowledged that Israel is “bombing hospitals and ambulances”, claiming its troops are breaching the Geneva Convention in ways not done by Germany in World War Two.
The comments are contained in an interview between a senior army doctor and a presenter from the UK military’s own communications department, who draw parallels with Israeli conduct in Gaza and Russian atrocities in Ukraine.
Their comments indicate that within Britain’s armed forces, personnel are speaking more frankly about Israeli war crimes than ministers.
A member of the UK military, who asked to remain anonymous, told Declassified: “This video casually contradicts the government’s public position – that Israel is not systematically committing war crimes, so we can continue to arm and train their forces – because everyone in its intended audience knows that to be untrue.
“The comments in the video reflect common sentiments I have heard expressed within the armed forces, and for many personnel that recognition is a source of deep unease.”
Military co-operation between London and Tel Aviv has not been suspended. An Israeli colonel graduated from a UK military academy just last month, while the head of Israel’s air force was able to visit a Royal Air Force (RAF) base in Oxfordshire.
Arms exports for the F-35, Israel’s most advanced fighter jet, have been allowed to continue via third countries. Hundreds of RAF surveillance flights have flown over Gaza since 2023.
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