An investigation by Declassified UK published today (30 June) claims Israeli state-linked organisations and lobby groups spent around £50,000 cultivating ties with Reform UK, including funding hospitality, events and overseas visits involving senior party figures. The spending forms part of what Declassified describes as a broader effort to build relations with Britain's fastest-growing political party.
According to the investigation, Reform MPs and senior officials accepted trips to Israel and attended events organised by groups including Conservative Friends of Israel and the European Leadership Network (ELNET), a pro-Israel advocacy organisation. The report says the funding covered flights, accommodation and meetings with Israeli political and security officials.
DeclassifiedUK also reports that Reform leader Nigel Farage and deputy leader Richard Tice have strengthened links with pro-Israel organisations in recent years, as the party has adopted increasingly vocal support for Israel. The publication argues these relationships have coincided with growing lobbying efforts targeting Reform as its electoral influence has expanded.
The findings come amid wider scrutiny of pro-Israel lobbying in British politics. Last week, MPs debated a petition calling for a public inquiry into pro-Israel influence on UK politics after it attracted more than 117,000 signatures, although the government has said it does not support launching such an inquiry.
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