Britain has barred Israeli students from attending the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) in London, citing Israel’s escalation of the war in Gaza. The decision, announced by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Monday, has drawn sharp criticism from Israel.
The RCDS, a postgraduate institution which offers a post-graduate course in international strategic studies to students from Britain and around the world, will refuse new Israeli entrants from next year. The move follows Israel’s August announcement to intensify its military campaign by seizing Gaza City—home to nearly a million displaced Palestinians—in a bid to eliminate Hamas.
“The Israeli government’s decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza is wrong,” an MoD spokesperson said. “We have therefore taken the decision to pause future Israeli participation in UK-run courses.”
The exclusion marks a significant diplomatic step by Britain, which has long been seen as a close ally of Israel but has recently increased pressure on the Netanyahu government. In July, the UK warned it could recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel took steps to alleviate humanitarian suffering in Gaza.
Israel’s Ministry of Defence reacted angrily, with Director General Amir Baram sending a letter to both the RCDS and the MoD denouncing the decision as “discriminatory” and “a profoundly dishonourable act of disloyalty to an ally at war.”
The MoD, however, stressed that British military education places strong emphasis on compliance with international humanitarian law. Fewer than five Israeli Defence Forces personnel are currently enrolled in non-combat academic courses in the UK, officials confirmed.
The latest measure follows Britain’s earlier ban on Israeli officials from participating in its largest arms fair this September, though Israeli defence companies were still permitted to attend.
With tensions mounting, the ban signals a hardening of Britain’s stance on Israel’s conduct in Gaza while highlighting the diplomatic strain between the two allies.
Melissa Enoch
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