Report reveals British officers trained in 'Israel' amid Gaza genocide

• Fewer than five British military personnel trained in 'Israel' since October 2023.
• Training took place amid 'Israel’s' ongoing operations in Gaza, described by the UN as genocide.
• Retired UK generals criticized the exchanges, citing war crime allegations against the IOF.

British Armed Forces personnel have reportedly received military training in 'Israel' since October 2023, according to a response from the Ministry of Defence to a parliamentary question from MP Zarah Sultana.

According to a report by Declassified UK, fewer than five British personnel attended educational staff courses in 'Israel' during this period, Defence Minister Al Carns confirmed. Details about the specific locations or military branches involved remain unclear.

The revelation comes amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, which a UN commission of inquiry has described as a genocide. Retired British army general Charlie Herbert criticized the training, saying, “Given the credible allegations of war crimes against the political and military leadership of the IDF, all such exchanges should have immediately ceased. It does our armed forces a huge disservice to be associated with the IDF… to think that we are training in Israel only adds to the accusations of UK complicity in this genocide.”

The disclosure follows reports that 'Israeli' soldiers have also trained in Britain over the past two years. Fewer than five 'Israeli' Occupation Forces (IOF) officers studied at London’s Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) in 2023–2024. Some graduates, including Yeftah Norkin and Elad Edri, later held senior military roles during 'Israel’s' operations in Lebanon and Gaza. The RCDS, one of Britain’s premier military academies, has hosted at least 32 'Israeli' officers over recent decades.

In October 2025, the UK Ministry of Defence announced that 'Israeli' officers would no longer be accepted onto training courses in Britain, citing the escalation of 'Israel’s' military operations in Gaza. Officers already in the UK were allowed to complete their courses. Recently, the MoD also reportedly decided not to send British personnel to an 'Israeli' military conference focused on lessons from the Gaza war, though other countries, including France, Germany, and Canada, did participate.

Earlier this year, senior staff from Israel’s National Defence College (INDC) visited the RCDS for exchanges on strategic education and leadership training. The INDC has trained high-ranking IOF officers and government officials, celebrating the graduation of its 52nd class in July, with international students, including British personnel, participating in its programs.