We should help allies in the Middle East - but not Israel

Aiding the country risks Britain's reputation, says Sam Kiley

- Sam Kiley

For Britain, Israel is mostly a strategic liability - but it's also a very close ally in stopping Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Now that Israel is locked in a war with Iran and Britain is rushing to send a handful of RAF jets to the region, that relationship needs careful management.

The UK cannot afford to be seen as guilty by association in respect of Israel's campaign in Gaza, or to suffer reputational damage by offering Israel unnecessary help - there is plenty for the RAF to do aside from that.

Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, has said that the aircraft may be used to defend the UK's allies - in other words, shoot down Iranian missiles heading towards Tel Aviv. Helping Israel to stop the erratic and malevolent Iranian regime from making an atomic bomb is smart. Being seen to do so, and protecting Israel against the consequences of its endeavours, is not.

Iran has threatened to attack any US ally that defends Israel. The US has already helped to shoot down ballistic missiles fired by Tehran in retaliation for the ongoing, and widespread, Israeli attacks on Iran's air defences, missile systems, military leadership and nuclear programme.

The US has a vast array of military assets very close to Iran, with air force and navy bases positioned across the Persian Gulf, in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, and Oman. These are all vulnerable to attack.