Spy scandal not at heart of British-Israeli relations
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For the first time in more than two decades, Britain expelled an Israeli diplomat. The announcement of the move was made at the British parliament on Tuesday by Foreign Secretary David Miliband.
It followed the alleged involvement of Israeli spies in a January assassination in the United Arab Emirates, where at least 12 forged British passports were used by members of the hit team.
While the decision clearly was not one Israel wanted to hear, analysts suggest it will not have a lasting effect on British- Israeli relations.
Israeli reaction
Israel has always claimed there is no watertight proof that it was behind the killing of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, a senior member of the military wing of the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement Hamas.
That contention did not stop Miliband from making his statement in the House of Commons, "I have asked that a member of the Embassy of Israel be withdrawn from Britain as a result of this affair, and this is taking place."
It is widely reported that the diplomat is a representative of Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency.
Formally, Israel responded to Britain's decision with a brief statement from Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
"We attach great importance to relations with Britain. We continue with various and sensitive dialogues with her and we are sorry about the British decision," he said.
"No proof has been handed to us of Israeli involvement in the affair," the top diplomat reiterated Israeli's stand.
The expulsion fits in with a series of other actions by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office that suggested a lack of evenhandedness when dealing with Israel, former Israeli ambassador to the Court of St. James, Yoav Biran, said on Wednesday.
Biran told Israel Radio that Britain is often more critical of Israel than other nations and he argued, in polite language, that London is guilty of double standards.
Strong relationship?
Yet despite the question amongst some Israelis towards the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's stance, Britain and Israel do enjoy close relations. That point was stressed by Miliband.
"Britain has worked and will continue to work closely with Israel on a range of issues, notably the Iranian nuclear threat. But that cooperation must be based on transparency and trust," he told members of British parliament on Tuesday.
While the links between the two countries are strong on the intelligence and governmental levels, one problem that is currently dogging the ties is the views of the political left of British ruling Labor Party, according to British academic Jonathan Rynhold.
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