The decision, announced by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Monday, has sparked sharp criticism from Israel’s Ministry of Defence, which described the move as “discriminatory” and a betrayal of a key ally.
The United Kingdom has barred Israeli students from enrolling in the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS), one of its most prestigious military academic institutions, in response to Israel’s escalation of its military operations in Gaza.
The decision, announced by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Monday, has sparked sharp criticism from Israel’s Ministry of Defence, which described the move as “discriminatory” and a betrayal of a key ally.
“The Israeli government’s decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza is wrong,” a British spokesperson for the MoD said, according to Reuters.
“We have therefore taken the decision to pause future Israeli participation in UK-run courses.”
The Royal College of Defence Studies, based in London, offers a postgraduate course in international strategic studies for senior military officers, diplomats, and officials from around the world.
Starting next year, Israeli students would no longer be admitted to the college, although fewer than five Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officers are currently enrolled in non-combat academic courses across the UK.
Britain has long maintained close defence and security ties with Israel, but the Gaza war has increasingly strained relations.
In July, the UK threatened to formally recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel took concrete steps to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Earlier in September, Israeli officials were barred from attending Britain’s largest arms fair, though Israeli defence companies were still allowed to participate.
The ban comes after Israel announced in August plans to seize control of Gaza City, home to nearly one million displaced Palestinians, in what it described as a decisive step to eliminate Hamas.
The move has been widely condemned internationally amid mounting civilian casualties and humanitarian concerns.
In response, Amir Baram, Director General of Israel’s Ministry of Defence, wrote to the RCDS and the UK’s MoD, denouncing the exclusion as a betrayal of Israel during wartime.
“Israel’s exclusion is a profoundly dishonourable act of disloyalty to an ally at war,” Baram wrote, describing the decision as “discriminatory” and contrary to Britain’s “tradition of tolerance and decency.”
The UK MoD defended its position, stressing that British military courses emphasise compliance with international humanitarian law, and that the decision reflects Britain’s opposition to the escalation of the conflict in Gaza.
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