A BRITISH businessman who funded Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his ministers was awarded the Israeli medal of honour for his “dedication” to the country, an investigation has revealed.

Documents obtained by Declassified UK show Sir Trevor Chinn, an influential entrepreneur and leading pro-Israel lobbyist, was awarded Israel’s highest civilian honour in November 2024 by President Isaac Herzog.

The death toll in Gaza at the time stood at 43,000 Palestinians, including 13,000 children.

Mr Herzog’s office celebrated Mr Chinn’s “uncompromising commitment” to Israel, “especially after October 7.”

The 90-year-old was also nominated by zionist advocacy organisations, including United Jewish Israel Appeal, Labour Friends of Israel, the Jewish Leadership Council, and the Board of Deputies – three of which Mr Chinn is directly associated with.

British-Palestinian journalist Hamza Yusuf said: “It’s astonishing that the president of Israel, who has been singled out for inciting genocide and has signed bombs that rained down on Gaza, is handing out awards to an influential businessman in Britain.

“Had this involved the president of Russia, it would undoubtedly be front page news.”

Mr Yusuf said it is a “matter that should alarm anyone committed to democratic accountability,” adding: “Instead, it continues to be met with a systemic and thunderous silence, especially from the mainstream media.”

Mr Chinn also donated £175,500 to Labour Together between 2017 and 2020, part of £739,429 the think tank failed to properly report.

It also raised start-up funds for an organisation which launched a secret campaign against media organisations supporting former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Mr Chinn gave £50,000 towards Sir Keir’s 2020 leadership campaign, undeclared until after the election.

Other cabinet members he funded include Wes Streeting, Rachel Reeves, David Lammy, Bridget Phillipson and Lisa Nandy.

Mr Chinn has been approached for comment.