Why Are Conservatives and Reform UK Talking to Israel's Gideon Sa'ar? Inside the Opposition's Israel Links

The Israel-Palestinian Conflict has long been framed as a human rights issue, but in the UK it is increasingly a political one. Opposition parties—the Conservative Party and Reform UK—have now established direct links with Israel's government, following announced government sanctions against Jerusalem.

Israel Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar shared on social media that he had spoken to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and Shadow Foreign Secretary Tom Tugendhat. On 8 September 2026, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband delivered an oral statement to the House of Commons regarding the 'death, destruction and dehumanisation' in Gaza.

Sa'ar Calls Talks 'Great'

Sa'ar described both conversations with Reform UK and the Conservative Party as 'great,' especially following the Labour Party's pronouncements of sanctions against illegal settlement in the West Bank, among others.

'I thanked him for his and his party's support for Israel,' Sa'ar said of his conversation with Farage. 'He told me he was pleased to have addressed the Reform Friends of Israel event at the party conference in Birmingham last week, and assured me unequivocally that, in government, Reform UK would reverse the damage done to the UK-Israel relationship by Labour Government and its policies.'

Farage confirmed plans to 'undo' Labour's actions in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But he also said that he broached the topic of the Falkland Islands with Sa'ar.

'Pleased to speak with Gideon Sa'ar. I emphasised the Falklands issue to him and its importance to the British people, though I understand Israel's relationship with President Milei. A Reform government would undo the damage caused by Labour,' said Farage.

Falklands Dispute and the Sea Lion Project

Argentina has recently stepped up its actions over its longstanding claim to the Falkland Islands, which is 300 miles (480 kilometres) away from its coast via the shortest route. The UK has administered the territory since 1833. In a 2013 referendum, 99.8% of residents chose to remain under British Overseas Territory.

Buenos Aires maintained that the Islas Malvinas, its official name for the Falklands, has been under its jurisdiction since Argentina gained independence from Spain in 1816. But Argentina didn't formally proclaim ownership until 1820.

Argentina President Javier Milei has announced plans to file legal and administrative proceedings against international entities drilling in the Falklands. One of the biggest ventures is the Sea Lion offshore oil project, which is mainly owned by Tel Aviv-listed firm Navitas Petroleum. London-listed Rockhopper also owns shares in the project. The project is expected to start generating oil by 2028.

Conservatives Signal Support

A day before publicising his conversation with Farage, Sa'ar also posted on X that he had spoken to Badenoch and Tugendhat: 'I thanked them for their firm opposition to the hostile Labour Government's announcement today and its series of anti-Israel policies since taking office.'

Badenoch criticised the Labour government's latest efforts, saying they could jeopardise foreign relations with allies. 'Burnham needs to decide which comes first—his party or his country,' said Badenoch.

'By sanctioning Israel to appease Labour activists, he is putting our country's security, alliances and medical supplies at risk. A Prime Minister's first duty must be the safety of the British people,' she continued.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called for a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and announced sanctions against illegal settlement encroaching in occupied territories.