BICOM

A new BICOM report published today finds that the Labour party has moderated some its policies but if it entered Government there would be a dramatic shift in British foreign policy in the Middle East.

BICOM’s analysis concludes that Labour policies could see the government reorient away from Britain’s traditional allies Israel, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states. This could have a serious impact on bilateral trade, inward investment and cause UK job losses at a time when Britain is looking to strengthen trade ties beyond the EU.

Commenting on the paper, BICOM CEO James Sorene said: “Labour’s foreign policy is an issue of deep concern to many of Britain’s closest allies in the Middle East, and around the world. Decades of intelligence and defence cooperation are at risk. Booming bilateral trade, inward investment and job creation could be in peril, precisely when we need them the most as we leave the EU.”

The report finds that while Labour’s approach to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is unlikely to differ greatly from the current government, as Prime Minister, the Labour leader would be much warmer to Iran and its institutions. This is in stark contrast to the current government, which considers Iran’s policies a threat to the stability of the region.

Labour’s broad opposition to military intervention and specific reluctance to attack IS and deploy drones could result in the UK withdrawing from the international fight against the terror group. These policies could jeopardise security cooperation and intelligence sharing, and could ultimately impair efforts in the UK to prevent terrorist attacks.

The Labour leader’s preference to reduce diplomatic clashes with Russia, coupled with lack of leadership from the US, could exacerbate a situation in which the Putin regime is establishing its dominance in Syria, enabling Iran and Hezbollah to widen their sphere of influence in Syria and Lebanon.

Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry, who will address the Labour Friends of Israel annual lunch today, has promised to maintain warm relations with Israel. However, the party’s recent commitment to immediately recognise a Palestinian state, a call for greater international pressure on Israel and sympathy for a boycott of goods from Israeli settlements, could have a chilling effect on UK-Israel relations.

Commenting on the paper, Isaac Herzog, leader of the opposition and an MK for the Zionist Union and Labor Party, told the Sunday Telegraph: “Any shift in UK policy to an unbalanced approach would be cause for concern, threatening not only UK-Israel relations, but Britain’s ability to play an effective diplomatic role, and its wider regional influence.”