Tahir Ali

Tahir Ali

Labour — Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley

Speaking in the House of Commons on 22 June 2026

Debate

UK Politics: Pro-Israel Influence

Contribution

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Harris. This debate touches on a principle fundamental to our democracy: British democracy is by the British people, for the British people and accountable to the British people. No foreign Government, no matter who they are, should abuse our system for privileges at the cost of British interests. Historically, many foreign actors have tried to meddle in our politics in their own interests. Over the past decade, the Israeli Government have been guilty of exactly that: meddling in our politics in the interests of what is ultimately a foreign nation. This is not a debate about international relations, foreign policy or the Palestine-Israel conflict, nor is it a debate about the right of British citizens to advocate for their views. To make matters more apparent, in 2017, an Israeli official employed at the London embassy was recorded by an undercover journalist expressing his desire to “take down” pro-Palestine British politicians. The Israeli official, Shai Masot, expressed his goal to “take down” ex-Minister Alan Duncan because of his criticism of Israel’s illegal settlement expansion.

More from Tahir Ali

Other recent Hansard contributions by the same speaker.

About Hansard

Hansard is the official verbatim record of proceedings in the UK Parliament. Every word spoken in the Commons and Lords is recorded and published — this page is a single contribution from that record.

For Tahir Ali's full parliamentary record including voting history, expenses and all other contributions, see the Tahir Ali report card.

Partner sites