Labour MP Emily Thornberry has called on the UK Government to take action after an Israeli foreign minister secretly filmed their private conversation – and posted it online.
Thornberry slams ‘unacceptable’ secret filming
Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, has criticised Israel’s deputy foreign minister, Sharren Haskel, for secretly recording their private conversation during a visit to the Israeli parliament (the Knesset).
Haskel later posted the video on Instagram without Thornberry’s knowledge or consent. Thornberry has since urged the UK Government to intervene and demand an explanation.
‘Would you expect this in the UK?’
Raising the issue during a committee session on Tuesday, Thornberry challenged Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer directly.
“Would you expect, minister, if there was a visiting delegation of MPs to the House of Commons, for them to be secretly filmed without their knowledge or consent?” she asked.
Falconer replied: “Certainly not. I think that’d be very unusual.”
Thornberry pressed further: “Or for it to be put on Instagram and briefed to, let’s say, The Telegraph in disparaging terms?”
Falconer said he wasn’t familiar with the details but added: “If someone was visiting the House of Commons, we’d want to show them courtesy.”
‘This takes it to another level’
Thornberry didn’t hold back. She highlighted how inappropriate it would be if an Israeli minister were secretly filmed during a visit to the UK.
She said: “The opposite has just happened to us. A video of us at the Knesset, meeting the deputy foreign minister, has been posted on Instagram.
“I’ve just found out about it – and to say that I’m cross might be an understatement.”
Thornberry also criticised the behaviour of some Israeli officials during the visit.
“There were many things said in the Knesset that we found quite provocative – and frankly, quite insulting. Some of the members of the Knesset were remarkably rude.
“We did our utmost to keep decorum at all times and to remain polite and restrained. But this takes it to another level. I would ask the Foreign Office to investigate this, find out why it happened, who made the decision, and ask for the video to be removed – with an apology.”
Falconer promises to investigate
Falconer promised to look into the matter, saying: “Chair, thank you for bringing this to my attention. It’s the first I’ve heard of it. I’ll look into it and come back to the committee.”
What the video showed
The video, posted by Haskel on Instagram, was later reported by The Telegraph in a glowing profile of the Israeli minister.
The paper claimed Haskel “calmly” challenged Thornberry over the two-state solution and Palestinian elections. According to the report, Thornberry “trailed off mid-sentence, meekly waving her hand.”
The Israeli government has been approached for comment.
You may also like: Watch: Labour MP warns welfare cuts ‘feel like austerity all over again’
