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British minister resigns over meetings with Israeli officials

British Minister Priti Patel resigned after it was revealed that she held secret meetings with Israeli officials, offering to fund the IDF humanitarian operation in Syria. 

By: Aryeh Savir, World Israel News

The UK’s International Development Secretary Priti Patel resigned on Wednesday over her unauthorized contact with Israeli politicians.

Patel met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials while on a private vacation with her family in August and then again in September.

She apologized for her conduct on Monday after news of the meetings was leaked, but was ordered by Prime Minister Theresa May to return from an official trip to Uganda on Wednesday after further revelations came to light.

Patel’s actions are unusual because ministers are expected to inform the government when conducting official business on behalf of the country overseas.

On Tuesday it was discovered that Patel had not informed May of her plans to look into giving UK funds to the IDF to treat wounded Syrian refugees in the Golan Heights, a request that was turned down as “inappropriate” by British officials.

Patel conceded that her “actions fell below the high standards that are expected.”

Patel, who has been a Member of Parliament since 2010, is a longstanding supporter of Israel and a former vice-chairman of Conservative Friends of Israel.