A long-serving British diplomat from Salford has shared his thoughts on the UK government’s sanctions against Israel in an exclusive interview with Salford Now.
Salford-born Baron Simon McDonald, who served as ambassador to Tel Aviv in the mid-2000s, recently attended the University of Salford to talk about Britain’s place on the international stage.
The former ambassador, who also served in Germany and in various other roles within the Foreign Office, shared his thoughts on Britain’s sanctions during the event.
The sanctions, which focus on the Israelis in the West Bank specifically, mean a complete ban on importing goods from “illegal” settlements, along with other restrictions.
In an exclusive interview with Salford Now, Lord McDonald said: “There have been terrible developments in the West Bank and in Gaza in the last year or so.
“What happened on the 7th of October 2023 was execrable, but things that have happened since are not justified by that initial crime; so there was absolutely something to react against.
“Mr Netanyahu will use that reaction in his campaign (for re-election); he faces the fight of his life right now, and what we have done is being made used of in a way I don’t think Mr Miliband completely appreciated.”
The Israeli government reacted to the sanctions by closing the British Consulate in Jerusalem.
Speaking on the effect here in the UK, Lord McDonald said: “I think mostly it is understood that, most of my Jewish friends understand, the thing that puzzles me is commentary that this package would justify or explain attacks on Jewish people in England, and that is absolutely wrong.
“The Jewish community in the UK bears no responsibility for what is happening in Israel, and I think we should be crystal clear on that, and not invite people to use this development as an excuse to attack Jewish Brits.”
Lord McDonald has a new book coming in 2027 titled “Special?: The UK/US Relationship” about the UK’s current relationship with the United States.
