Emboldening Tehran

e onside. And, as this Times editorial states, it's diplomatically inept.

The decision on Monday to suspend the export of military components destined for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) is an object lesson in how not to conduct diplomacy. Citing fears that the parts in question might be used in IDF operations violating international humanitarian law, David Lammy, the foreign secretary, in effect consigned Israel to the category of rogue state. With decidedly imperfect timing, this insult to a friend was issued just as Israelis digested the execution by Hamas of six hostages seized on October 7.

The announcement of the killings brought Israelis flooding on to the streets in protest at what they regard as the callous and intransigent position of Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, in regard to securing a ceasefire and the release of those held in subterranean captivity. Israelis have a perfect right to demonstrate against their government, a right that differentiates them from Arab neighbours. But Labour’s half-hearted jab at Mr Netanyahu — the UK is a minor supplier of arms parts to Israel and only a tenth are affected by the embargo — was as pointless and offensive as it was diplomatically inept.

This unforced error, which will not help the tormented people of Gaza and appears to have caught the Americans unawares, has served only to dismay moderate Israelis and advocates for Israel in Britain. Yoav Gallant, Israel’s defence minister, spoke of being “deeply disheartened” by the move at a time when his country was engaged on several fronts. At home, Ephraim Mirvis, chief rabbi of the Commonwealth, said the timing beggared belief. Labour Friends of Israel, meanwhile, spoke of Tehran being emboldened by the move.

Mr Lammy, whose judgment has in the past been found wanting (he nominated Jeremy Corbyn for the Labour leadership, was an opponent of the nuclear deterrent and compared Conservative Brexiteer MPs with Nazis) has fallen back on the advice of government lawyers as an excuse. But such advice is routinely overruled in the cause of national policy. Of course, the prime minister must share the blame for this hamfisted attempt to placate the anti-Israel element in his party. For no measurable benefit, the UK has alienated a friend and important intelligence ally. Britain’s disloyalty to Israel at a critical hour will not be forgotten.

If this debacle helps Lammy's speedy departure from high office, so much the better.