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.
Definitely a drop in the ocean right now with only ten trainees, scale it up and we might see those positive effects.
I still find it insane that, out of a nation of trained, religious militants, we get to educate <10 per year in humanity?
We are definitely being ruled by psychopaths.
All these comments seem based in the racist fantasy world where Israel is somehow doing wrong defending its people from the genocide the people of Gaza voted for.
I recall Zelenskyy praising Israel as a model for Ukraine. I would go further and say Israel is a model for all of Europe we should follow to stand up to Russia and Islam.
I suppose it depends on whether you believe the falsities you’re given or if you can see with your own eyes… Don’t believe the salesman 😉
Words mean nothing, actions mean everything.
Just look at what Israel is doing – not just think about what has been ‘said’ – ‘watch’ what they are doing to other humans.
And compared to what we did to the Nazis it is moderate and controlled, even though they face a greater threat than we ever did.
Most left wing Jew hate comes from Multiculturism which lies behind 300-500 racist murders a year in the UK, 30-40k rapes and millions of lesser crimes. All of them coordinated by the Labour Party.
The World has a strange addiction to ‘Dualism’, when it comes to Israel.
Acts, committed by any other Nation, (e.g. think apartheid South Africa) that would lead to exclusion, sanctions and The Hague, are ‘Blind Eyed’, Glossed Over, Forgiven – when committed by Israel.
The Israeli’s, apparently, gifted an everlasting … ‘Get Out Of Jail, Free Card’ … by the Western Leading Nations; which, since 1948, has been used too many, many times.
So many, one could be forgiven for thinking Israel does not want Peace; especially, as ‘Continual Unrest’ guarantees American Political, Financial and Arms support; even though it imperils the Rest Of The World, who pay for it in blood.
And, on unrest and terrorism, Let Us Not Forget, Israel was Born out of Jewish Terrorism; the World and the UN presented with a fait accompli.
The very reason Britain relinquished its Mandate over Palestine; and despite the British Gov.t bending Rules and Truth since the 1920’s, to accommodate Jewish interests; a very ungrateful Client.
And One who has abused years of friendship and trust, for its own ends, continually.
And, by our friendship, makes GB complicit in All Its Misdeeds.
Time, More Than Time, To Say – ENOUGH.