Diaries of the Occupation Ambassador in London Expose Network of 'Lobbies' Supporting Genocide in Gaza

A recent investigative report by the British magazine "Declassified" revealed intriguing details from the diaries of the former Israeli Ambassador to London, Tzipi Hotovely, showing a complex network of relationships with British security officials and pro-occupation pressure groups. The investigation clarified that the Israeli Embassy transformed into an operations center for coordinating with prominent businessmen and donors to the British Labour Party, coinciding with the ongoing war of genocide in the Gaza Strip.

The leaked documents indicate that Hotovely, known for her inflammatory statements against Palestinians, exploited her position to entrench the occupation's narrative within UK decision-making circles. The ambassador had publicly suggested considering civilian facilities in Gaza, including schools and mosques, as legitimate military targets, which observers deemed direct incitement to commit war crimes.

The diaries showed a close and continuous working relationship between Israeli pressure groups in Britain and the embassy in London, despite claims by groups such as "Friends of Israel" in both the Conservative and Labour parties of not receiving direct funding from Tel Aviv. Records revealed at least four meetings with Stuart Polak, the honorary director of the Conservative Friends of Israel group, who describes himself as a fierce defender of Israeli interests in the House of Lords.

The meetings were not limited to British figures but also included high-ranking Israeli diplomats such as Yossi Amrani, head of the diplomatic division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Merav Eilon Shahar, deputy director of strategic affairs. These meetings, which took place in the second half of 2024, reflect a high level of diplomatic coordination to ensure continued British support for Israeli policies in the region.

In a related context, the names of John Pearce, head of Labour Friends of Israel, and Lord Jonathan Mendelson emerged as regular visitors to the ambassador's residence. The organization justified these meetings as aiming to discuss humanitarian issues and the release of detainees, but the timing and nature of these meetings raised questions about the extent of the embassy's influence on the positions of the ruling Labour Party leaders.

The diaries also included meetings with Luke Akehurst, Labour MP and former director of the "We Believe in Israel" lobbying group. These meetings took place on the sidelines of major party conferences, indicating the penetration of the pro-occupation lobby into the organizational structures of major British parties and its ability to directly access decision-makers.

The investigation raised serious concerns about the proximity of Labour Party funders to the Israeli government, as Hotovely met with Stuart Roden, who donated over half a million pounds to the party before the 2024 elections. Roden, who heads an Israeli venture capital firm, is a prominent defender of Israeli military operations, describing them as part of a "clash of civilizations."

According to press sources, Roden conducts informal dialogues with the Labour Party leadership to express his views on issues concerning the occupation. His appearance in the ambassador's diaries coincided with the Kier Starmer government taking power, reinforcing assumptions about the existence of back channels to influence British foreign policy towards the Palestinian issue.

The ambassador's activities extended to the business and real estate sectors, where she met with Jonathan Goldstein, a businessman who supported election campaigns for Labour Party leaders. Goldstein, who previously chaired the Jewish Leadership Council, participated in pro-occupation rallies and coordinated directly with Israeli ministers to enhance joint cooperation at the height of the aggression on Gaza.

In a sensitive economic aspect, the investigation revealed a secret meeting between Hotovely and Michael Denison, head of international consulting at the giant British oil company BP. This meeting took place in November 2023, coinciding with the Israeli Ministry of Energy's announcement of new licenses for gas exploration in the Mediterranean Sea, one of which was won by a consortium including BP.

UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese criticized the involvement of private companies like BP in what she described as the "genocide economy." Albanese pointed out that the company's expansion into exploring Palestinian maritime areas illegally exploited by the occupation represents a contribution to entrenching the occupation and ongoing violations against the Palestinian people.

Military industries were not absent from the ambassador's agenda, as she met with representatives of the state-owned Israeli company "Rafael," responsible for manufacturing missiles used to destroy residential areas in Gaza. This coordination aims to ensure the flow of military supplies and maintain technical partnerships with the British defense sector.

The list of visitors included prominent members of the House of Lords, such as Lord Browne, former CEO of BP, and Lord Feldman, former chairman of the Conservative Party. These meetings, which included working breakfasts and lunches, show the intimacy of the relationship between the British political elite and the diplomatic representation of the occupation.

The investigation concluded that these coordinated moves aim to build a political and economic protective wall for Israel in Britain to counter increasing international pressure. The documents confirm that the Israeli lobby is working diligently behind the scenes to ensure no fundamental shift in the British stance towards the genocidal crimes committed in the Gaza Strip.

Every school, every mosque, and every second home in Gaza has access to underground tunnels, and is therefore a legitimate target for Israel.