London college teaching Israeli soldiers during Gaza genocide revealed
At least two Israeli colonels have attended the British military academy in central London during the war on Gaza since October 7, 2023.
It has been reported that one of the soldiers, thought to be Elad Edri, only graduated a fortnight ago.
READ MORE: Zarah Sultana reveals preference for name of new party
Meanwhile, Yeftah Norkin, another officer, has led a division of the Israeli military in its invasion of Lebanon after completing a course at the college in 2024.
Norkin, who comes from an influential military family, reportedly commanded a unit during Israel's 2008-9 war on Gaza, which killed hundreds of children.
RCDS is regarded as a prestigious institution for military learning and mentors mid-ranking troops who aim to climb the chain of command and awards them with a certificate for international security studies.
The institution describes itself as 'a world-renowned institution committed to developing strategic thinkers… who have the potential to reach the highest ranks'.
Meanwhile, RCDS alumni include prominent figures within the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) including former spokesperson and Major General Hidai Zilberman and previous Chief of Staff of Israel's Southern Command, General Harel Knfao.
The investigation by Declassified comes after it was revealed in June that the UK is hosting and training soldiers from the IDF despite allegations that the military is engaged in genocide in Palestine.
(Image: Google Maps)
Confirmation that the UK was training Israeli troops came after Labour MP for York Central Rachael Maskell submitted a written question at Westminster which asked, 'when the last time was that a member of the Israel Defense Forces was trained by the UK armed forces'.
In a response, Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard admitted that the UK was 'currently' training IDF soldiers in the UK.
Pollard said: 'As part of routine defence engagement with Israel, the UK is currently training a limited number of Israel Defense Forces personnel on UK-based training courses.'
MPs were also recently told that 'less than five' Israeli troops were studying in the UK on 'academic courses' at undisclosed locations.
Declassified said they were repeatedly refused the information about which institutions were teaching IFD soldiers until last week, when the Ministry of Defence (MoD) disclosed that Israeli troops were being mentored at RCDS.
The Freedom of Information Request said that fewer than five officers had trained at the college in 2023 and 2024 and the MoD did not offer the names and ranks of the officers or provide figures for 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
a few seconds ago
- The Independent
National Living Wage predicted to rise higher than expected
The national living wage could rise to as much as £12.86 an hour next year, the official advisory committee has estimated, as it gives new details on its annual review on the figure. The Low Pay Commission (LPC) says ministers are committed to delivering a 'genuine living wage' in its latest remit report, which lays out the minimum that Britain's minimum wage workers must be paid. Currently, the national living wage is £12.21 an hour, equalling £451.77 a week. The LPC estimating that this will need to increase to £12.71 an hour in 2026 to not fall below two-thirds of median earnings, which is the threshold the government expects it to stay above. But this could fluctuate between as much as £12.86 an hour, or as little as £12.55 an hour, depending on changing economic conditions. Across a 37-hour week, £12.86 an hour would mean £475.82 a week, up £24.05 from this year's rate. Across a year, this would be £1,250.60 more in an employee's pocket. At the lower end, a rise to £12.55 an hour would equal £464.35, a weekly increase of £12.58. This would mean a much lower £654.16 more at the end of the year. Founded in 1997, the LPC delivers recommendations to ministers each autumn regarding how it believes the minimum wage should be changed. The government ultimately sets minimum wage rates for the following April after this advice. A letter from deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the committee must take into account the cost of living as it reviews the national living wage. The two senior ministers insisted the government was 'committed to ensuring that the minimum wage is a genuine living wage'. They added: 'We continue to recognise that our ambition should be backed by evidence, and that the minimum wage rate should be consistent with delivering inclusive growth for working people and businesses alike. 'We are therefore asking the LPC to recommend a national living wage rate that is at least two-thirds of UK median earnings for workers aged 21 and over, to apply from next April, which takes into account the cost of living, effects on employment and developments in the wider economy.' Elsewhere, the government is pushing forward with plans to end 'discriminatory' age banding for the minimum wage, and has extended the LPC's remit to examine this. It said the LPC will consult with employers, trade unions and workers on narrowing the gap between the national living wage and the minimum wage rate for 18 to 20-year-olds, which is currently £10. There is also a minimum wage for those aged under 18, and apprentices, of £7.55. The LPC will report back in October with advice to the government on how much the minimum wage should rise by in 2026. The Resolution Foundation, a think tank which works to improve living standards, suggested the government was using 'ambitious language' on increasing the minimum wage, but in reality was adopting a cautious approach. Nye Cominetti, principal economist at the think tank, said: 'Despite the Government's ambitious language around 'delivering a genuine living wage', the new remit for the Low Pay Commission represents a steady-as-she-goes approach to the adult rate, after faster increases in the years preceding 2024. 'This caution is warranted given worrying labour market data, which is thanks in part to the Government's increase in employer national insurance contributions in April.'
The Independent
a few seconds ago
- The Independent
UK authorities detain 1st group of migrants under plan to thwart small boats crossing from France
British border authorities have detained the first group of migrants under a pilot plan that will send some who cross the English Channel on small boats back to France. The migrants were detained Wednesday, the day the program came into force, and will be held at immigration removal centers until they are returned to France, the Home Office said on Thursday. 'That sends a message to every migrant currently thinking of paying organized crime gangs to go to the U.K. that they will be risking their lives and throwing away their money if they get into a small boat,' Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said in the statement. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron announced the deal last month as the U.K. government struggles to tamp down criticism that it has lost control of the country's borders. While the pilot involves a limited number of people, U.K. officials suggest the deal is a major breakthrough because it sets a precedent that migrants who reach Britain illegally can be returned to France. Critics say the program will do little to deter migrants because the numbers returned to France are small and loopholes in the treaty will allow many people who enter Britain illegally to remain in the country as they pursue human rights claims.
Telegraph
a minute ago
- Telegraph
Just banning Palestine Action isn't good enough, Keir
Yesterday, Sir Keir Starmer staunchly defended the Government's proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, and right he was too. This time, he cited not only the usual reason – Palestine Action's wrecking of RAF jets at Brize Norton – but also acknowledged their attacks on Jewish-owned businesses. Palestine Action has been terrorising Britain's Jewish community for a long while now, but none of that seemed to matter until everyone saw expensive RAF engines gunged up with red ooze and our politicians realised, as everyone eventually does, that what starts with the Jews never ends with them. Sir Keir's comments come as supporters of Palestine Action prepare to 'overwhelm' police this weekend, as exposed in these pages, with hundreds of them due to flout the law. At Campaign Against Antisemitism, we have been keeping a close eye on developments – including the response of the police. The Met has warned that anyone 'showing support for the group can expect to be arrested'. But presumably they can also expect to be released soon afterwards, just like dozens of other supporters of the terrorist organisation who have been carted off and let go. The sad reality is that, while Palestine Action and their tactics are abhorrent to the vast majority of law-abiding Britons, their campaign of sabotage, wanton criminal damage and intimidation of the Jewish community is more popular amongst some than anyone would like to admit. The bigoted, unpatriotic thugs have not acted in a vacuum: the authorities have appeased them. It's not just the police – it's also our regulators and public bodies, and our politicians. Not only has Sir Keir's Government, like its predecessor, failed to act against the hatred on our streets and campuses, and even within our broadcasters and hospitals; it has exacerbated it, because the appeasement has been double-edged. On one hand, our authorities appease thugs by failing to crack down on the marches, while our officials simultaneously appease the bullies with one policy concession after another. No concession has been more potent or ungratefully received by the mob than the recent pledge to recognise a Palestinian state this September. The Government's promise to recognise a state was made in the form of a threat to Israel – even whilst Hamas turns its Jewish hostages into skeletal figures reminiscent of the Nazi death camps and forces them to dig their own graves. The announcement was then followed by the spectacle of muddled, fumbling attempts by the Government to reassure the public that of course statehood would depend on Hamas releasing the hostages, but at the same time also assuring the mob that recognition wouldn't depend on anything that Hamas does or does not do. That assurance, like the announcement itself, was not enough to satisfy the Palestine fanatics who don't care about 'two states' and clamour instead for zero Jewish states. They responded with calls to lock up the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, as a war criminal and target Labour MPs' constituency offices. This should not surprise anyone. It's how appeasement always plays out; it is a bottomless pit. Give an inch and they'll take the country. It is no good proscribing Palestine Action unless the Government is willing to tackle the rest too, from the bloodcurdling Islamist sermons, to the terrorist-supporting marchers, to the radicalisation of our young people. And they cannot hope to succeed at any of that whilst playing to extremists at home with inflammatory foreign policy gestures relating to a conflict thousands of miles away in which Britain is totally irrelevant. Proscribing Palestine Action was a good start. British people want to see muscular action to fight extremism here at home, not foreign policy announcements that excite only the fanatics. Sir Keir, please stop dabbling in futile diplomacy in the Middle East and take real action on the disaster unfolding right here in Britain.
