Channel 14: British parliamentarians denied security meeting in Jerusalem

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has declined a request from a visiting British delegation for a special briefing on the work of the Israeli police, according to Israel’s Channel 14.

The delegation included members of the UK’s Liberal Democrats, the third-largest party in Britain and generally regarded as centre-left, along with members of the House of Commons, the House of Lords and senior advisers.

The group arrived in Tel Aviv on an official visit during which they met Israeli President Isaac Herzog. They were also scheduled to travel to Ramallah for meetings with senior Palestinian Authority officials.

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During their visit, the delegation requested a police briefing in Jerusalem’s Old City on security arrangements and preparations for upcoming holidays and Ramadan. However, Ben-Gvir’s office rejected the request.

Sources close to the minister said the refusal reflected what they described as a broader policy shift. “Israel has stopped responding to requests from entities that cloak themselves in humanitarianism but have a clear agenda,” one source was quoted as saying.

The same sources added that Israel is not obliged to provide security guarantees to those who criticise Israeli security forces while engaging with the Palestinian Authority.

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