Priti Patel sought cash for Golan Heights hospital treating Syrian jihadists
By: Catherine Philp,
Priti Patel wanted to send British aid money to support an Israeli army programme treating wounded Syrian jihadists, including al-Qaeda fighters, in the occupied Golan Heights.
Downing Street confirmed that the international development secretary had asked officials from her department to look into whether public funds could be used to support the work after holding secret meetings with Israeli figures including Binyamin Netanyahu, the prime minister.
However, No 10 learnt from the BBC that among the options discussed by Ms Patel was channelling humanitarian aid to the Israeli army. She did not volunteer this information in the meetings with Downing Street on Monday. The statement released by Ms Patel’s department said only that the work was done on a humanitarian proposal.
