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UK Politics: Pro-Israel Influence
22 June 2026
Lead MP
John Lamont
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Con
Responding Minister
James Frith
Tags
Community SecurityDemocracy & ElectionsForeign AffairsWomen & EqualitiesStandards & Ethics
Word Count: 11757
Other Contributors: 17
At a Glance
John Lamont raised concerns about uk politics: pro-israel influence in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
I ask the Government to use this debate as an early test of their commitment to tackling antisemitism by clearly rejecting conspiracy theories about Jewish or pro-Israel control in politics. The Prime Minister should commit to a whole-of-society approach to confront antisemitism wherever it appears. He urges the Government to strengthen lobbying regulations, improve disclosure requirements and review relationships between foreign Governments and parliamentary bodies to ensure British policy is determined by British interests and democratic accountability.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
I am concerned about the petition that singles out Israel for scrutiny of politics or lobbying. The petition raises profound concerns because it frames its issues using narratives that echo historical antisemitic conspiracy theories. Over 118,000 people have signed the petition, and I recognise many may have done so in good faith, but Parliament must consider the historical context. There is a long-standing allegation that Jews exercise hidden or improper influence over democratic institutions which has fuelled discrimination and violence throughout history. The hon. Member for Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley is concerned about the undue influence of Israeli Government officials and lobby groups in British politics. He cited an example from 2017 where an Israeli official, Shai Masot, was recorded expressing his desire to 'take down' pro-Palestine British politicians due to criticism of Israel's illegal settlement expansion. The speaker also mentioned that pro-Israeli lobby groups have paid hundreds of thousands in political donations in the UK over the past decade.
Inquired why many in the House conflate Jewish faith and people with actions of the Israeli state, suggesting that such conflation is inappropriate.
Swansea West
Scrutinising foreign influence is not inherently problematic, but the debate's framing focuses disproportionately on Israel. The idea of singling out Israel for scrutiny as a 'world's only Jewish state' echoes historical antisemitic narratives and should be paused to ask why this might be.
Ayoub Khan
Lab
Birmingham Perry Barr
Mr. Khan questioned the Government's support for Israel amid ongoing conflicts, suggesting that arms sales and political influence may be unduly benefiting certain lobby groups at the expense of ethical considerations. Asked Shockat Adam to give way during his speech but did not contribute further content. Asks the hon. Member if he agrees with transparency regarding donations to ensure responsibility towards British citizens. Asked the Minister whether he agrees that the petition's wording, having been scrutinised by the Petitions Committee, does not fall foul of IHRA guidance.
David Simmonds
Con
Kingston upon Hull East
I declare an interest as a co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on British Jews, and I applaud my hon. Friend for introducing the debate robustly. Given global events, our Jewish constituents feel uneasy, and it is crucial to ensure that we do not import those conflicts onto the streets of our country.
David Taylor
Independent Group for Reform
Stoke-on-Trent Central
Acknowledged efforts by the Prime Minister to address antisemitism within their party and criticised recent comments made in Parliament that he deemed anti-Semitic. Emphasised the responsibility of political leaders to use caution with their words to prevent stirring up hatred. Mentions that Iran poses a significant threat and is involved in antisemitic activities, agreeing with the hon. Member's points about Russia and China.
Gareth Snell
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent Central
Mr. Snell expressed concern about the disproportionate scrutiny of pro-Israel positions compared to other nations, citing his wife's experience with a Green Party list and emphasising the need for balanced debate without fear-mongering. The hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent Central asked the speaker to clarify his definition of 'pro-Israel donors' and what purpose he believes the money was given for.
The MP questioned whether the UK should use AI weapons similar to those used in Gaza, implying a critique of Israeli military actions. The hon. Member welcomed the opportunity to speak and joined in condemning antisemitism while addressing Israeli Government actions. He cited evidence that 13 out of 25 Labour Cabinet members received hundreds of thousands in donations from pro-Israel donors, with around 180 MPs accepting such funding during their careers. He further mentioned a petition signed by over 118,000 people questioning the purpose of these donations and expressed concern about Elbit Systems' influence on Home Office officials. Agreed with the Minister about the need to investigate lobbying and donations from any source but pressed him specifically regarding Israel-related groups in Parliament.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon expressed strong support for Israel, emphasizing shared democratic values and the need to defend a beacon of democracy in an unstable region. He highlighted the importance of robust diplomatic ties with Israel due to intelligence sharing that saves lives across nations. Shannon urged the Minister to reaffirm the UK's commitment to Israel as a fundamental principle. Commends the hon. Member for speaking strongly about anti-Israel sentiment and supports the Government's actions against Palestine Action, describing it as an illegal organisation after a Court of Appeal case victory. Complimented the Minister for his stance on antisemitism and acknowledged the Prime Minister's efforts to address it within the Labour party.
Joy Morrissey
Con
Erewash
Anti-Israel hatred creates a scourge of antisemitism against the Jewish community, which suffers unfairly due to their ethnic and religious background.
The MP asked Richard Tice if he agreed that the Government had not sufficiently addressed illegal settlements, suggesting a lack of action from the UK towards this issue.
Lisa Smart stressed the need to reject antisemitic conspiracy theories and called for transparency in political finance to protect democracy from foreign influence. She mentioned concerns about Russian money flooding into the UK and advocated for real change including caps on donations and a searchable database of online political advertising.
Mike Wood
Con
Dudley South
The hon. Member for Dudley South requested an intervention, but it is unclear if there was a follow-up or the nature of his question. The MP expressed concerns about the lack of credible evidence supporting claims of 'pro-Israel influence' in UK politics, emphasizing the importance of focusing on real threats to democracy from foreign state actors like China and Russia. He argued that singling out Israel for scrutiny is unjustified and could fuel antisemitic conspiracies.
The MP criticized the petition's title as antisemitic and manipulative, referencing historical examples of anti-Jewish hatred. He emphasized that real threats to democracy include funding by billionaire expatriates, foreign interference, and alleged Iranian links to attacks on Jewish institutions.
He celebrated the positive influence of Israeli scientists and entrepreneurs on global innovation and suggested more collaboration with Israel's cyber-security specialists. He argued for preparing for war to ensure peace and criticised the petition as antisemitic in nature. Asked about a minimum timeframe before the debate on pro-Israel influence can be revisited.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
The motion is not about lobbying or influence but an angle of antisemitism in the country. Israel has been heavily scrutinised in Parliament, and there is no evidence to suggest a secret Jewish lobby influencing UK politics. The focus should be on the positive contributions of Israel to security and research.
Shockat Adam
Lab
Leicester West
Criticised the conflation of Israeli Government actions with Jewish people and highlighted Elbit Systems' role in supplying military equipment to Israel. Raised concerns over private meetings between Elbit executives and Home Office officials, suggesting these could influence policing or prosecution.
Andrew Mitchell
Lab
Sutton Coldfield
I raised a point of order expressing unease about the debate's focus on Israel, questioning why other countries are not singled out and highlighting concerns about antisemitic conspiracy theories. I urged the lead MP to consider the petition organisers' motivations.
Government Response
James Frith
Government Response
The Government reject the premise of the petition as it plays into antisemitic tropes. The UK and Israel have a deep relationship, and criticism is democratic but must not invoke double standards or hidden forces narratives. The Government announced £25 million for policing and protection against antisemitic attacks in 2026-27. They are reviewing lobbying and political finance rules to address foreign influence.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.