Oops.
If you had to guess which intelligence service provides more actionable intelligence about terrorism, would you guess ‘Mossad” or “MI6?”
I know where I would put my money, and its headquarters are not in London.
As lily-livered Western countries go wobbly on supporting Israel–The Arab League supports Israel’s policies more than Britain, France, or Canada–Israel is threatening to cut intelligence ties with its faithless “allies.”
FAFO.
🚨 Report in the British “Times”: Israel threatens to sever its security ties with Britain if it recognizes a Palestinian state. The “Times” adds that Israel provides a lot of information regarding terror threats in Britain, and this could have ‘serious consequences.’ pic.twitter.com/HkJdS6VTxu
— Raylan Givens (@JewishWarrior13) August 7, 2025
It’s a bold move should Netanyahu decide to go through with this threat. After all, the ties exist in the first place due to mutual interest.
On the other hand, interests change, and Europe is beginning to look a lot more similar to China or Russia in many respects than the US, Israel, or Japan. They are becoming authoritarian regimes, using social credit systems. They differ, of course, in how they deal with internal dissent–Western leaders are kowtowing to their Islamist residents and suppressing their own citizens. How long can Israel and genuinely liberal regimes continue treating these countries as if they are genuine allies?
Diplomatic sources have told The Times that Binyamin Netanyahu’s government is examining the response as one of a range of options if Britain presses ahead with Palestinian recognition next month.
An official warned that Britain and other countries considering diplomatic recognition should “carefully consider” the consequences of such a move.
Another diplomatic source said: “London needs to be careful because Bibi [Netanyahu] and his ministers have cards they could play too. Israel values its partnership with the UK but recent decisions mean it is coming under pressure and the UK has a lot to lose if Israel’s government decides to take steps in response.”
Israel has reacted furiously to the decision by Starmer, accusing him of handing Hamas a “prize for terror” by going ahead with recognition outside of a peace process and before the remaining hostages are released. Starmer has said Britain will recognise the state of Palestine next month unless Israel allows more aid into Gaza, stops annexing land in the West Bank, agrees to a ceasefire and signs up to a long-term peace process.
Western European countries fear their new Islamic residents, and they have much to fear. Israel has been an invaluable source of intelligence, warning these countries of imminent terrorist attacks and helping identify terrorists in their midst. As much as Israel might lose if it cuts off ties, there is little doubt that the UK and France have much more to lose.
⚡️A Saudi analyst from Riyadh to Israeli channel i24:
“Saudi Arabia has no problem establishing relations with the State of Israel.Israel is a neighboring state, and no one can erase it.
Hamas is a terrorist organization that has occupied the Gaza Strip.” pic.twitter.com/e02jKjwg8m
— Warfare Analysis (@warfareanalysis) August 7, 2025
You don’t build up spy networks in a week. Or a year.
Of course, as a practical matter, Israel would warn any country of an imminent attack. Even countries with whom we have strained relations have warned America of imminent threats. But short of a total cutoff of information, Israel has enormous leverage.
Intelligence from Mossad, Israel’s national spy agency, is understood to have passed crucial information to its British counterparts that thwarted an alleged Iranian-linked terrorist plot on the Israeli embassy in London. It led to two of the largest counterterror raids in the UK in recent years, when five men were arrested in connection to the alleged plan to target the embassy in Kensington, west London.
The UK has also made use of Israeli-made drones for surveillance operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and Israeli defence equipment has been credited with saving the lives of British soldiers during military conflict with both countries.
It’s impossible to gauge from public comments and leaks how much of this back and forth is bluster and how much is serious, but recognition of a Palestinian state is a huge move on the part of countries that have been, until recently, friendly with Israel.
Testy relations are one thing, and to be expected when friendly governments are run by leaders on the opposite side of the ideological spectrum. But moves as significant as picking the side of one’s ally’s enemies are bound to create more than strained relations. Cracks in an alliance can turn into breaks over such things.
There is still time for these countries to pull back from their drastic measures–they have left themselves wiggle room, should they choose to use it.
But considering the feckless leadership in Britain and its backstabbing compatriots, I am not optimistic.
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