The MoD is reportedly banning Israeli officers from Britain’s Royal College of Defense Studies, citing opposition to the escalation of Israel’s operation in Gaza. The move singles out Israel, even as officers from China — a non-ally and arguably the greater security threat — continue to be admitted. Beyond being unfair, it risks becoming a serious strategic miscalculation.

The college is more than a classroom: international officers swap ideas, challenge assumptions and give Britain’s defense establishment new perspectives. With relations already frayed by UK criticism of Israel and talk of recognizing a Palestinian state, shutting out Israeli officers risks deepening the rift — and cutting Britain off from valuable expertise.

In the past two years, few Western militaries — Britain included — have faced such a diverse, quickly-evolving set of threats as Israel. These officers can therefore bring practical lessons from the front line of contemporary conflicts.

For one, the country has been fighting a grinding urban campaign against Hamas, an enemy that embeds itself in dense civilian areas and operates a vast network of fortified underground tunnels. No other Western military has faced urban warfare at this intensity. The IDF has had to innovate in clearing tunnels and integrating intelligence with frontline maneuvers — precisely the dilemmas British and Nato forces would face in any future conflict with jihadist groups.

Hezbollah, once considered the world’s most powerful terror group, was quickly brought to its knees by Israel’s use of intelligence, long-term planning, and smart offensive and defensive doctrine. In its war with Iran, meanwhile, Israel swiftly seized control of Iranian airspace, disabled its costly defense systems, and destroyed much of its long-range missile arsenal. Israel’s layered defenses — the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, Arrow systems, and the navy — intercepted 99% of drones and 90% of missiles, learning and improving under fire, while the air force flew over 1,000 long-range missions without losing a single plane.

Israel’s successes in confronting enemies while simultaneously defending its own population hold critical insights as Britain strengthens its missile and drone defenses against Russian, Iranian and other threats. Today’s battlefield also demands a strong command of technology such as AI, electronic warfare and advanced drones. Understanding how to fight this kind of conflict is crucial, and Parliament has already admitted that Britain lacks Israel’s standard of defense, leaving the UK exposed.

Further alienating Israel also signals that ideology trumps strategy and national security. Out of political convenience, Keir Starmer’s government has appeased Left-wing activists rather than standing by an ally and providing our forces with the insight they need.

The Royal College of Defense Studies was designed to expose Britain’s senior officers to global perspectives, not to narrow them. At a time of increased threats, it would be reckless for Britain to fight tomorrow’s battles armed only with yesterday’s knowledge.

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Dr Limor Simhony Philpott is a writer and researcher focusing on antisemitism, extremism and defence.

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