Nigel Farage denies Gaza genocide and backs weapons exports to Israel
Farage's comments came as he answered media questions at an event held in Aberdeen on Monday, which saw him announce the defection of Tory councillor Duncan Massey and spark anger after alleging the media had colluded with anti-racism activists to organise a protest against him.
The Reform UK leader has previously spoken in favour of US president Donald Trump's plans for the ethnic cleansing of the Gaza strip, which Israel's government is looking to move forward.
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Writing for GB News last year after Labour suspended around 10% of the UK's weapon export licences to Israel amid fears the nation was breaching international law, Farage said: 'I feel all over the world that Israel is running out of friends. And I wonder right now, is Israel still really an ally of this country?'
Asked about these comments and to outline his foreign policy on Israel and Palestine, the Reform UK leader said: 'It wasn't whether Israel was an ally of the UK, it's whether the UK was an ally of Israel …
'My question then was, are we really an ally of Israel's anymore?
'I know that, since then, things have deteriorated and even some of Israel's strongest friends in the world are asking some quite serious questions.'
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage visited Scotland on MondayAsked then if he were prime minister if he would label Israel's actions in Gaza a 'genocide' or suspend weapons licences, Farage said: 'No, I wouldn't.
'I think we have to get back to the fundamental fact that what happened on October 7 [2023] was the most appalling violence committed by an organisation who said they will do it again and again and again.
'No easy answers, I accept that.'
Farage's comments came after reports from Gaza's health ministry said that an Israeli strike on a residential building had killed 14 people, mostly women and children.
The Shifa and al-Ahli hospitals confirmed the toll from the strike in the built-up Jabaliya refugee camp, saying five women and seven children were among those killed.
READ MORE: 'You're not welcome': Nigel Farage visit to Scotland met by anti-racism protesters
Since the Hamas attacks of October 7, Israel has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children. The military siege and offensive has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90% of the population.
Israel has said it will maintain control of Gaza indefinitely and facilitate what it refers to as the voluntary emigration of much of its population.
The governments of Ireland and Spain have both described Israel's action in Gaza as genocide in recent weeks, though the Labour-run UK Government has insisted that any determination is for the courts.
Labour suspended 30 of around 350 weapon export licences to Israel in September 2024, but allowed a specific 'carve out' to continue exporting parts for F-35 jets.
UK Government figures published last month showed that exports of military equipment to Israel had ramped up in late 2024. The Labour administration licensed the sale of some £127 million in military equipment to Israel in October to December 2024, more than the Tories had licensed for the entirety of 2020-2023.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy dismissed the UK Government figures as 'clickbait'.
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