British Foreign Secretary David Miliband addressed parliament on Tuesday afternoon, announcing his country blames Israel for the cloned passports of British nationals, used in the assassination of a senior Hamas figure in Dubai in January.

The UK blames Israel based on information furnished by Dubai Police Chief Dahi Khalfan Tamim, who says the Mossad is responsible, but despite allegations, there is no conclusive evidence to tie the intelligence agency to the assassination and Israel has not accepted responsibility.

Miliband explained there were “compelling reasons” to believe the Mossad is responsible, adding he has received assurances there would not be a repeat of the situation involving forge British passports in the future.

The foreign secretary stressed the seriousness of the misuse of the passports, adding “The fact that this was done by a country which is a friend, with significant diplomatic, cultural, business and personal ties to the UK, only adds insult to injury. No country or government could stand by in such a situation.”

It appears the decision to expel an Israeli diplomat is a sign of anger and protest, adding the diplomat, who has yet to be named, has been expelled, with speculation pointing to Israel’s Mossad representative in the UK.

In Israel, most officials are of the opinion that Israel should not respond, but accept the move without creating a diplomatic row since Britain is a major ally.

Opposition MK Dr. Michael Ben-Ari however feels differently, calling the move “anti-Semitism in the guise of anti-Zionism”.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)