Suella Braverman’s Controversial Trip to Israel Sponsored by Pro-Israel Group
Former UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman came under fire for accepting a sponsored trip to Israel by the Jewish National Association (JNA), a pro-Israel lobby group. The JNA covered expenses amounting to nearly £28,000 for Braverman and her husband’s four-night stay in Israel.
The controversial trip included flights to Tel Aviv and accommodation in Israel, all funded by the JNA. The group aims to promote Jewish life, support Israel, and fight antisemitism, but its chair, Gary Mond, has faced criticism for past Islamophobic remarks and associations.
Braverman’s acceptance of the donation raised concerns about her judgment, especially given the exorbitant cost of the trip compared to standard visits by MPs. Critics, including Chris Doyle from the Council of Arab-British Understanding, questioned Braverman’s alignment with a group linked to controversial figures.
Braverman’s visit to Israel came after her sacking by then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for inflammatory comments made against pro-Palestinian protesters. Her remarks during her time as Home Secretary sparked controversy, with accusations of bias towards Israel and insensitivity towards the Palestinian cause.
Despite the backlash, Braverman continued to express pro-Israel views amid the conflict in Gaza, drawing further criticism for her uncompromising stance on the issue.