Starmer laser focused on Israel trade deal as Gaza burns, Mark Curtis investigates

Labour s trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds is embarking on fresh trade talks with Israel, whose economy minister is an outspoken supporter of its attacks on Palestinians. Reynolds has received funding from Britains Israel lobby and is a vicechair of Labour Friends of Israel. Support Declassified In the talks Reynolds is dealing with a minister in Tel Aviv, Nir Barkat, who is one of the more extreme proponents of Israels brutal war in Gaza. Barkat says the Israeli military is too nice and too considerate in Gaza. The governments announcement was made two days after Israel killed over 30 Palestinians in an airstrike on a school housing displaced people in central Gaza. Britains Department for Business and Trade says Our teams will be entering negotiating rooms as soon as possible, laserfocused on creating new opportunities for UK firms. Despite the International Criminal Court seeking ar