LOC22:27
19:27 GMT
LONDON, Sept 15 (KUNA) -- Britain banned "Israelis" from attending a prestigious London defense studies college due to the escalation of the war in Gaza, the UK's Ministry of Defence said on Monday, prompting an angry response from Israel.
"The Israeli government's decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza is wrong," said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence, which owns the college.
"We have therefore taken the decision to pause future Israeli participation in UK-run courses."
British military courses emphasize compliance with international humanitarian law, the MoD spokesperson added. Fewer than five Israeli Defence Forces personnel are currently enrolled in non-combat military academic courses in the UK.
Responding to the exclusion, Amir Baram, the director general of Israel's Ministry of Defence, sent a letter to the college and Britain's MoD calling the decision "discriminatory" and saying it breaks with Britain's tradition of tolerance and decency.
"Israel's exclusion is a profoundly dishonorable act of disloyalty to an ally at war," the letter said.
The latest move means from next year Israeli students will be refused entry to the Royal College of Defence Studies, which offers a post-graduate course in international strategic studies to students from Britain and around the world.
Earlier in September, Britain barred Israeli officials, but not Israeli defense companies, from its biggest arms fair (Defence and Security Equipment International) exhibition over the Gaza escalation. (end)
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