Netanyahu Accuses UK Government of Appeasing Enemies, Cites Aid on Airbase Attack

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims Israeli intelligence provided Britain with a warning about an Iran-backed attack planned against the Royal Air Force base in Fairford last week. In an interview with the British "Daily Mail," published Saturday, Netanyahu criticized the UK government's decisions to ban trade with West Bank settlements and impose a partial arms embargo, especially while Israel assists the UK in security matters. He characterized the UK, under the Labour government, as a "rogue state" whose actions against Israel are intended to appease a coalition of left-wing and Islamist elements. "They appease their enemies and attack those who defend them," Netanyahu stated.

Netanyahu revealed that the incident near the RAF base, which is still being investigated as a suspected terror attempt despite the release of those arrested, was thwarted by Israeli intelligence. "This was stopped and prevented," he told interviewer Natalie Lisbona at his Jerusalem office. He emphasized that this was not the first time Israel had aided Britain in security matters, suggesting that without the recent warning, the attack would likely have occurred, potentially causing British casualties. He described the British policy towards Israel as "unfathomable hypocrisy."

Netanyahu also noted that he had not yet spoken with the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, two months after Burnham took office. He accused Labour of succumbing to internal pressures regarding its stance on Israel and acknowledged that relations between the two countries are poor. "They are pursuing a policy of appeasement with Islamist forces and attacking us, the state fighting terrorists and the terror regime," he said. He likened the situation to what Churchill called "the slumber of democracies," where democracies become complacent while their enemies attack, until the alarm of danger is finally heard.

Furthermore, Netanyahu argued that Western civilization is engaged in a battle against barbarians, yet Israel is portrayed as the great Satan. "We are not the Satan," he asserted. "We are a small country fighting in the heart of the Middle East not only to defend ourselves but also modern Arab states against Iranian hegemony." He questioned why the UK government opposes the only democracy fighting monstrous regimes and urged British citizens demonstrating against Israel to protest instead at the Iranian embassy.

Addressing the issue of migrants arriving in Britain via the English Channel, Netanyahu warned, "If Britain does not regain control of its borders, you will lose them." He expressed hope for Britain's recovery and reflection, noting the decades of exceptional relations between the two nations and regretting their current deterioration.