The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has confirmed that fewer than ten members of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have been enrolled each year since 2020 on non-combat academic training courses delivered in the United Kingdom.
The training, which takes place within a wider framework of international defence engagement, has come under renewed scrutiny following a series of parliamentary questions in the House of Lords and Commons.
In response to a set of written questions from Baroness Helic, a Conservative peer, and Gavin Robinson MP, a member of the Democratic Unionist Party, ministers sought to clarify the nature and content of British defence education provided to IDF personnel. The MOD confirmed that all UK-provided training includes modules on International Humanitarian Law (IHL), the Law of Armed Conflict, and the Protection of Civilians (POC), delivered at both tactical and operational levels.
This includes “mandatory judgmental training to ensure that a distinction is made between combatants and civilians,” as well as scenario-based exercises to test decision-making in complex operational contexts. Officials also reiterated that content aligned with the UK’s Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda is incorporated into all such training, in line with commitments under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.
Although the total number of IDF personnel trained annually remains below ten, the MOD is withholding exact figures and course details on personal data protection grounds.
Lord Coaker, Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence, said the UK’s defence training programmes are grounded in British values, “including respect for and adherence to human rights.” He added that this principle applies across all international training engagements, not just with Israel.
The training has been the subject of wider political attention due to concerns over the conduct of Israeli operations in Gaza and the potential implications for UK defence exports. Labour MP Scott Arthur asked whether a ban on arms exports to Israel would also affect training of Israeli personnel. In response, Defence Minister Maria Eagle said that the two matters are “not directly linked,” although both are considered in light of international humanitarian law.
Eagle confirmed that fewer than five IDF personnel are currently enrolled on UK non-combat academic courses.
The MOD’s current policy on international military training appears unchanged but continues to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
“The MOD confirmed that all UK-provided training includes modules on International Humanitarian Law (IHL), the Law of Armed Conflict, and the Protection of Civilians (POC), delivered at both tactical and operational levels.”
Let’s scale it up as much as we can then
“Let’s scale it up as much as we can then”. Agree – it’s having an enormously beneficial effect on the citizens of Gaza.