A government minister has refuses to describe Israel as an “ally” of the UK.
Darren Jones said “these things are never clear cut one way or the other”.
The chief secretary to the Treasury’s comments came as the Foreign Office warned Britons not to travel to Israel because of its war with Iran.
RAF jets have also been sent to the region as the conflict continues to escalate.
On LBC on Sunday, presenter Lewis Goodall asked Jones: “Do we agree with Israel that Iran is a menace to world peace and a threat to Israeli security?”
Jones said: “The UK has been part of international efforts in the past in respect of Iran, the third party groups that it funds, concerns in the past about enrichment capability.
“So of course, there are diplomatic challenges there that we have always played a role in with allies in the West.”
Goodall then asked him: “But Iran is our enemy, isn’t it?”
Jones replied: “Well look, we have these diplomatic conversations with Iran where we would like them to do different things, that’s for sure.”
Goodall then asked: “It’s fair to say Israel is our ally. Israel is clearly, in this situation, we are an ally of Israel. That’s right, isn’t it?”
Jones said: “We’ve always supported Israel’s right to defend itself. But as you’ll also know from other actions happening in the region in respect of Gaza and the West Bank, we have differences of opinions with Israel as well. So these things are never clear cut one way or the other.”
Tensions between Israel and the UK have been building in recent weeks over the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a scathing attack on the UK, France and Canada after they called on Israel to “cease the renewed military offensive” in Gaza and lift its blockade on humanitarian aid.
The government has also sanctioned two Israeli ministers for inciting “extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights”.
Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich will be subject to a travel ban and asset freeze under the measures announced by Britain alongside Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway.
