We are becoming increasingly troubled by the actions of our government in the UK. Interestingly, France and the UK appear to be on parallel paths when it comes to their anti-Israel agenda; from their talk of recognising a Palestinian state, their arms embargoes, and their accommodating Israel’s enemies. Here are a few ways the UK and France are heading in the wrong direction.
Recognising a Palestinian state divides the land in defiance of God’s Covenant
The UK and France have signalled intentions to recognise a so-called ‘Palestinian state.’ We should point out that any recognition of a Palestinian state is a move that effectively seeks to divide the land God promised to the Jewish people (Genesis 17:8).
France’s President Macron said in April that his nation may recognise a Palestinian state in June. The UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, has repeatedly said that the UK will recognise a Palestinian state when the time is right. It was revealed recently that the UK was “in discussion” with France and Saudi Arabia over the issue.
It should be noted that the Labour Party’s manifesto, on which they were elected into parliament, described a Palestinian State as an “inalienable right of the Palestinian people.” In other words, a right that can never be taken away. This stance is in complete contradiction to our beliefs and shows their clear intentions.
For Labour, it seems that Palestinian recognition is not a matter of if, but when. We need to pray it is never.
God does not take this lightly; He warns explicitly against such actions: “I will enter into judgment with them there… because they divided up My land” (Joel 3:2).
The UK and France are both condemning Israel unjustly
Whilst Israel battles existential threats on seven front, including from Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and the Iranian regime, both France and the UK have joined the chorus of condemnation against Israel.
Macron and Starmer oppose Israeli plans to root out Hamas in Gaza, instead calling for a ceasefire and accusing Israel of using disproportionate force. In fact, the UK ministers have at times suggested Israel is in violation of international law.
These condemnations are not balanced criticisms, they are unjust attacks that embolden Israel’s enemies and betray the alliances between Israel, France, and Britain.
We believe that Israel is fighting a just war and that the Israel Defense Forces are achieving both great success in defeating their enemies, but also in protecting civilians on both sides of the conflict.
Hamas on the other hand has done everything to try and destroy the lives of Israelis and Palestinians. Israel is the only one fighting for innocent lives and fighting for peace.
“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD.” (Isaiah 54:17)
Arms Embargoes hinder Israel’s God-given right to defend itself
Just two months into Keir Starmer’s tenure as Prime Minister, the UK suspended 30 arms export licences to Israel, marking a significant shift from the previous Conservative government’s stance.
Likewise, France too has restricted arms exports to Israel. Heinously, they suspended the export of compontents for artillery shells in October 2023, the same month as Hamas’s October 7th attacks that left 1,200 Israelis dead and over 200 taken hostage. Not only that but France has led calls for other countries to restrict Israel also.
These embargoes are not righteous acts that further peace; they are moral failures. They restrict Israel’s ability to conduct its just war against Hamas. They are actions that isolate Israel and strengthen their enemies, who then see Israel as having to fight alone with one hand behind its back, which is being held there by its own allies. It is shameful.
Thankfully, Israel is not in this fight alone. The God of Israel is still on His throne and He has vowed to fight for His people. It doesn’t change the fact that the UK and France are aiding and abetting Israel’s enemies at a time when those same enemies are trying to wipe out the Jewish state.
The UK and France are welcoming Israel’s enemies whilst threatening to arrest Israel’s leaders
Last week, the UK welcomed Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa to No. 10. Both Keir Starmer and David Lammy embraced him, pledged their support for the Palestinians, signed a memorandum of understanding, and sent him home with a pledge of £101 million in UK taxpayer money.
Mustafa is part of Mahmoud Abbas’s Palestinian dictatorship that governs the West Bank (Judea and Samaria). The PA funds terrorism through their ‘pay for slay’ system that rewards Palestinians who murder Israelis. They glorify and name streets after terrorists. And the very existence of the Palestinian cause is a weapon to eradicate Israel. They should not be welcomed in Britain, let alone given such extravagant funding.
Likewise, this week, France’s Emmanuel Macron was all smiles as he welcomed Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (Abu Mohammed al-Jolani). The former ISIS terrorist is an ardent Islamist who hates Israel and wants to see the Jews wiped off the map. His men are responsible for the murder and persecution of Christians and other minority groups in Syria which is ongoing as we speak.
It is appalling that Palestinian terror supporters and the Syrian terrorist leader are given the red carpet treatment by France and the UK, yet Israel’s leaders are not so welcome.
Following the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) bogus decision to issue arrest warrants against Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last year, there has been no state visits from Israel’s leader to France or the UK.
In fact, David Lammy said in November 2024 that, under UK law, he would be obligated to seek Netanyahu’s arrest if he stepped foot in Britain. This is all based on false ICC investigations for which the ICC does not even have legal jurisdiction. It is beyond disgraceful.
And despite Keir Starmer’s long career in politics, he has never met Netanyahu or any other Israeli Prime Minister.
Britain and France must repent and get back to the Bible before it is too late.
As Christians, we believe in the unchanging truth of Scripture, which affirms Israel’s unique role in God’s plans and purposes. Both the UK and France were once beacons of Christian heritage, but now are largely secular and do not hold God’s Word in any regard. Even though David Lammy and other Labour ministers identify as Christians, it is clear that politics trumps the Bible for our government.
Genesis 12:3 says: “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will cshamurse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
This is both a warning and a promise from God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth. We should not take it lightly.
Britain and France are shamefully cursing Israel at the same time as blessing those who curse Israel. It is a dangerous path to be on and does not bode well for either nation.
The reason that our governments are failing to adhere to Biblical truth is that they see their own wisdom as being more important than God’s wisdom. Yet, the Bible says “the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). One will only fear God when they understand the truth of God’s existence and the seriousness of His promises to us. We cannot force the government to understand what we are saying, but we can pray that God will change the hearts of those in leadership in our nation.
“Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere Him” (Psalm 33:8)
