Minister denies claim the UK is 'undermining' Israel's fight

THE Government today pushed back against fierce criticism from Israel’s premier Benjamin Netanyahu, who accused Labour ministers of undermining his country against its enemies.

- Jitendra Joshi

Netanyahu’s comments came as Lebanon reeled from two days of attacks in which pagers and walkie-talkies used by Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants exploded, killing more than 20 people and wounding thousands.

Israel has not commented but the country’s spy agency Mossad is widely suspected, threatening to rip open a new front of hostilities with its forces already pummelling Gaza to root out Hamas.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds insisted that the Government’s recent suspension of certain arms licences to Israel was carefully calibrated to ensure that it could continue to defend itself against foes, including Hezbollah.