Nigeria TV Info – UK Bars Israeli Students From Prestigious Defence College Over Gaza Escalation

Britain has barred Israeli students from attending the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) in London, citing Israel’s escalation of the war in Gaza. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the decision on Monday, which has drawn sharp criticism from Israel.

The RCDS, a postgraduate institution offering international strategic studies to students from the UK and around the world, will no longer admit new Israeli entrants starting next year. The move follows Israel’s August announcement to intensify its military campaign by seizing Gaza City, home to nearly a million displaced Palestinians, in an effort to eliminate Hamas.

“The Israeli government’s decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza is wrong,” an MoD spokesperson said. “We have therefore taken the decision to pause future Israeli participation in UK-run courses.”

The exclusion represents a notable diplomatic step by Britain, traditionally considered a close ally of Israel, but which has recently increased pressure on the Netanyahu government. In July, the UK warned it could recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel took measures to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.