Telegraph: Britain bans Israeli soldiers from studying at prestigious military academy
The Telegraph reported that the British Ministry of Defense stated that the Royal College of Defiance Studies won’t accept students from Israel starting next year.
A British Ministry of Defiance spokesperson said that British military education courses have long been open to personnel from “a wide range of countries, with all British military courses ensuring compliance with international humanitarian law”.
He added, “However, the Israeli government’s decision to escalate its military operation in Gaza is a mistake,” noting that “there must be a diplomatic solution to end this war now, with an immediate ceasefire, the return of the hostages, and increased humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza”.
For his part, Amir Baram, Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defense and a graduate of the Royal College of Defense Studies, described the decision as a dishonorable act characterized by disloyalty to an ally in wartime.
In a letter to the UK Defense department, shared with The Telegraph, he described the decision as a “discriminatory act” that constitutes a “shameful departure from Britain’s proud tradition of tolerance and basic decency”.
He emphasized that this is the first time the college has excluded Israelis since its founding in 1927, in line with Winston Churchill’s vision of promoting understanding among senior military officers, diplomats, civil servants, and officials.
Baram said the decision comes at a time when Israel is defending international shipping from Houthi aggression, preventing nuclear weapons from falling into the hands of an Islamist regime chanting ‘Death to England,’ and fighting to return 48 hostages held by Hamas.
