Over 2,000 British Nationals Served in IDF During Gaza War, Raising Legal Questions
An investigation by Declassified UK has revealed that over 2,000 British nationals served in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) during the Gaza war, raising serious legal and political questions about whether the UK should investigate or prosecute them upon their return.
According to the report by journalist John McEvoy, the figures were obtained via a Freedom of Information request submitted to the IDF by an Israeli lawyer. The data shows that 1,686 British-Israeli dual nationals and a further 383 individuals with British, Israeli, and other nationalities were IDF service members as of March 2025. They were among over 50,000 IDF soldiers with Israeli and at least one other nationality, with the largest groups coming from the US, Russia, Ukraine, France, and Germany.
Previously, data was only available on the number of Britons without Israeli citizenship serving in the IDF—so-called lone soldiers—which was as low as 54.
The investigation highlights that British authorities have so far failed to prosecute any citizens returning home after fighting in Gaza. While around 10 Britons were reportedly identified in a submission to the Metropolitan Police's War Crimes Unit, no charges have been brought. The report notes that the Foreign Enlistment Act 1870, which prohibits British citizens from fighting for foreign armies at peace with the UK, could provide a legal avenue, though it has never been successfully used for prosecution.
Leaked Israeli Ministry of Justice documents cited by Declassified UK reveal that Israeli officials were concerned about the legal status of British dual nationals serving in the IDF and tracked UK legislation closely. The investigation also points to a perceived double standard, noting that Britons returning from fighting for other armed groups abroad have faced counter-terrorism investigations or citizenship stripping.
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Source: Will Starmer arrest British-Israeli soldiers returning from Gaza? (Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VXjCiGeJaU)