Key Takeaways
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer maintains that the U.S.–Israel strikes on Iran are “not our war,” a position popular with polls but opposed by Conservative MPs.
- Conservative Friends of Israel chair Greg Smith argues the Iranian regime is the root of regional terror, cites over 20 foiled Iran‑backed plots in the UK, and warns that continued hostility could eventually breach British defenses.
- Smith criticises the Labour government for failing to proscribe Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), for suspending arms exports to Israel, and for recognizing a Palestinian state while Hamas remains armed.
- He contends that domestic political pressure—particularly from Labour’s left‑wing base and the rising Green party—has driven Labour’s pro‑Palestinian policies, which he says fuels antisemitism and undermines UK security.
- Smith advocates banning the IRGC, restoring a robust UK military presence in the Gulf, and confronting antisemitism at its roots, especially in universities, while urging supporters of Israel to remain vocal despite a hostile environment.
Starmer’s “Not Our War” Stance and Its Political Reception
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has repeatedly told the public that the joint U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran in late February are “not our war.” Polls indicate this line resonates with many voters who wish to avoid entanglement in a distant conflict. However, the position is sharply contested by the Conservative opposition, which argues that the threat has already reached British soil and that the UK bears responsibility for defending its interests and allies.
Conservative Alarm Over Iranian‑Backed Plots in the UK
Greg Smith, the newly appointed chair of Conservative Friends of Israel and MP for Mid Buckinghamshire, warns that Iran’s malign activity is not confined to the Middle East. He points to more than twenty Iran‑backed terror plots detected by MI5 between late 2024 and late 2025, all of which were foiled but underscores the danger that “if they keep trying, one will get through.” Smith cites the recent arson attack on Kenton United Synagogue in northwest London as evidence that the threat is already manifesting domestically.
Iran as the “Root of All Evil” and the Need for Regime Change
Smith characterises the Iranian regime as the principal financier of terrorism, whose primary victims are Israelis. He notes that the regime massacres its own citizens for daring to protest, reinforcing his view that removing the Tehran government would be “a fundamentally good thing.” While he welcomes the two‑week cease‑fire between the U.S. and Iran, Smith stresses that the real test lies in whether Iran ceases hostility toward Israel, halts funding of regional terror groups, and abandons its malign behavior toward the West.
Doubts About Negotiation and the Limits of Diplomacy
Following the stalemate in talks over the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program, the United States imposed a naval blockade on Iran. President Donald Trump expressed confidence that pressure would compel Tehran to accept a deal that could bring Western ties andprosperity. Smith, however, is skeptical, arguing that the regime is “not interested in talking” and that previous negotiations merely produced uranium enrichment levels “near as, damn it, a nuclear weapon.” He contends that diplomacy has failed and that a harder line may be necessary.
Conservative Critique of Labour’s Preparedness and Base‑Use Decisions
Smith faults the Labour government for being unprepared for a regional conflict. He asserts that the UK lacked assets in the Gulf to defend its own bases, leaving the joint UK‑US facility at Diego Garcia essentially defenseless when an Iranian missile was launched. Although Starmer eventually allowed the U.S. to use British bases for defensive operations, Smith contrasts this with the decisive action taken under former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who deployed British forces to help defend Israel during its April 2024 confrontation with Iran.
Failure to Ban the IRGC and Calls for Legislative Action
A recurring point of frustration for Smith is the government’s reluctance to proscribe Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, despite a pre‑election Labour pledge to do so. He notes that he urged the previous Conservative administration to act and continues to press the current Labour government, emphasizing that the measure enjoys cross‑party support—including from Labour backbenchers and Liberal Democrats—yet remains unaddressed. Smith finds it perplexing that no government has moved to ban the IRGC, especially given the documented foiled plots on UK soil.
Labour’s Domestic Political Drivers Behind Its Israel Policy
Smith attributes Labour’s shift toward a more critical stance on Israel to internal political pressures. He observes that shortly after taking office, Labour backbenchers became “very irritable,” leading the government to concede ground on issues such as the partial arms‑export ban to Israel and the suspension of free‑trade‑agreement talks. These concessions culminated in Starmer’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state, which Smith describes as a “deeply domestic political decision” driven by the need to appease a restive party base.
Conservative Vision for a Two‑State Solution and Opposition to Palestinian Recognition
While the Conservatives maintain broad support for a long‑term two‑state solution, Smith argues that recognizing a Palestinian state while Hamas remains militarised is untenable. He contends that a genuine two‑state framework cannot exist when one of the parties is still run by terrorists, citing ongoing threats from Hamas, the Houthis, Hezbollah, and the IRGC. Smith asserts that a Conservative government would not have followed allies such as Australia, Canada, and France in recognising Palestine under those circumstances.
Antisemitism, Political Polarisation, and the Green Challenge
Smith links Labour’s electoral setbacks to rising antisemitism and the influence of the Green party. He notes Labour’s loss of a special election to the Greens in a formerly safe Labour seat in northwest England, describing the contest as “sectarian politics… off the charts.” He argues that Labour’s fear of its own left‑wing base has amplified focus on the Israeli‑Palestinian issue, which he views as ideological rather than pragmatic, and warns that this narrative fuels antisemitism across the UK.
Personal Testimonies and the Urgency to Combat Antisemitism
Smith recounts heartbreaking emails from Jewish constituents, including a woman who felt compelled to erase all symbols of her faith to protect her Christian fiancé. He attended a Hanukkah event in his constituency where a local rabbi lamented that the community no longer feels safe gathering. Smith calls for sustained effort to confront antisemitism, insisting that the first priority must be higher‑education campuses, where he believes “some of the worst antisemitism” occurs and where university leaders often dismiss the problem.
Education as the Frontline in Countering Misconceptions About Israel
To address the root of prejudice, Smith engages with students in his constituency, asking whether any have visited Israel (none had) and how they picture Tel Aviv’s beach. He describes the city as a tolerant, democratic space where Jews, Christians, Muslims, and LGBTQ individuals coexist peacefully—a reality starkly absent from many students’ imaginations. Smith argues that dispelling such myths is essential to curbing the antisemitic narratives that take hold when people view Israel solely through a lens of conflict.
Resolute Advocacy Despite a Hostile Climate
Acknowledging that supporting Israel in the UK is presently difficult, Smith insists that now is the moment for allies to “stand up and be counted.” He reflects on his longstanding membership in Conservative Friends of Israel, noting that accepting the chairmanship was a matter of principle rather than convenience. Smith concludes that, although an easier political path existed, he remains committed to confronting the challenges posed by Iran, antisemitism, and domestic political pressures, believing that steadfast advocacy is essential for the UK’s security and moral standing.