The UK government’s policy coherence on Israel is facing sharp scrutiny after Labour’s trade envoy visited Israel just one week after the foreign secretary suspended new trade discussions in response to Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Lord Austin, the UK’s trade envoy to Israel and a former Labour MP turned Conservative-appointed peer, was recently seen touring a range of Israeli projects in Haifa. A social media post from the UK embassy in Israel shared his visit, which included stops at a hi-tech “customs scanning centre”, a local port, and a light rail development. The post described the trip as demonstrating “cooperation at every stop” between the UK and Israel.
This trip, however, came in the immediate aftermath of Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s stark condemnation of Israeli actions in Gaza. Lammy had labelled the conduct as “monstrous and extremist”—words that earned approval across much of the Labour Party. Alongside his comments, Lammy froze ongoing trade negotiations and ordered a full review of a high-level strategic roadmap with Israel.
One Labour MP expressed dismay over Austin’s visit, describing it as undermining the foreign secretary’s diplomatic efforts.
“There is a large group of Labour MPs who are furious this has been allowed to happen after the progress made last week. Austin needs to be fired immediately; the Department of Business and Trade response is completely unacceptable.”
Labour MP
Another party member was even more blunt, calling the government’s messaging “not about mixed, but garbled messaging.”
MPs Demand Clarity On Government Stance On Israel
Palestinian advocacy groups joined in the criticism, with calls for Austin’s dismissal echoing from pro-Palestinian MPs and campaigners. Critics highlighted that Austin has consistently diverged from Labour’s positions on Israel, raising questions about his suitability for the role.
Despite the backlash, the Department for Business and Trade maintained that Austin’s visit was not a rogue operation but had full government coordination and approval. Officials downplayed the optics, claiming there was no contradiction in suspending negotiations on a new trade agreement while maintaining promotional activities under the current agreement.
The department’s position did little to calm internal tensions. The reappointment of Lord Austin, known for his strong anti-antisemitism stance, had already stirred controversy within Labour ranks, especially among members aligned with the Palestinian cause.
Pete Malynn, executive director of Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East, had earlier voiced his objections in a private letter to Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds.
“It sends entirely the wrong message about the government’s priorities in the region, calls into question its strategic direction and emboldens those who seek to undermine and criticise the government.”
Pete Malynn
Malynn’s letter also detailed Austin’s contentious past remarks, noting that he disputed the notion that Gaza remains occupied, had referred to the UN’s Palestinian relief agency, UNRWA, as terrorists, and opposed halting arms exports to Israel. He had also dismissed concerns over Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank, saying it was “factually wrong” to claim the area was being concreted over.
Further controversy surrounds Austin’s conduct during the 2019 general election. At the time, he urged voters in key swing seats to support Boris Johnson, driven by his opposition to Jeremy Corbyn’s handling of antisemitism and extremism within the Labour Party.
With criticism mounting from within and outside Parliament, Labour now finds itself navigating an increasingly complex terrain, one in which internal divisions over Israel policy risk undermining the party’s broader diplomatic messaging and international credibility.
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