The former head of GCHQ has told Sky News that the long-term consequences of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza will extend to “Europe and beyond”.
Speaking to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim podcast, Sir Jeremy Fleming also warned that extremists may use the conflict to radicalise young people.
He welcomed the UK, France and Canada joining forces to condemn Israel’s “wholly disproportionate” actions in Gaza.
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Earlier this week, the three countries threatened to take “concrete actions”, including targeted sanctions, unless Israel paused its latest offensive and lifted aid restrictions.
The prime minister joined his counterparts in warning “the level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable”, but their remarks were condemned by Benjamin Netanyahu.
Sir Jeremy said their statement used “the strongest possible language” – but argued it was “a little bit overdue”.
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“I think it’s what most of the world has been thinking now for some time,” he added.
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The ex-spy chief stepped down as GCHQ’s director in 2023 after six years in the role – and joined MI5 back in 1993.
Sir Jeremy was asked whether current events in the Middle East could be exploited, leading to the creation of homegrown terror networks in countries like the UK and US.
“I’m pretty sure that it will be part of the radicalisation process for some people,” he said. “It will provide an additional trigger, if you like, to move down the track towards violent extremism.”
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He added: “The longer-term implications of this are incredibly difficult. And the absence of a political process makes it really hard to stomach.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Sir Jeremy raised concerns that artificial intelligence could create new national security threats, and be weaponised by adversaries to cause harm.
