Middle East Monitor / September 3, 2024
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said on Tuesday that the British government made a “shameful decision” when it suspended some arms export licences to Israel, Reuters reports.
Britain’s Foreign Minister, David Lammy, said on Monday that the government had suspended 30 of 350 arms export licences with Israel due to a risk the equipment could be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The decision, which came a day after Israeli forces recovered the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in Gaza, was quickly denounced by a number of Israeli ministers.
“This shameful decision will not change Israel’s determination to defeat Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organization that savagely murdered 1,200 people on October 7, including 14 British citizens,” Netanyahu said in a social media post.
“Hamas is still holding over 100 hostages, including 5 British citizens. Instead of standing with Israel, a fellow democracy defending itself against barbarism, Britain’s misguided decision will only embolden Hamas,” Netanyahu said.
“With or without British arms, Israel will win this war and secure our common future.”
Soon after Britain’s Labour Party won an election in July, Lammy said he would update a review on arms sales to ally, Israel, to ensure these complied with international law.
British exports amount to less than 1 per cent of the total arms Israel receives, and the Minister said the suspension would not have a material impact on Israel’s security and Britain continued to support its right to self-defence.
Both Israeli and Palestinian leaders are being investigated for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the wake of the 7 October attacks by Hamas in southern Israel which killed 1,200 people, by Israeli tallies.
However, since then, it has been revealed by Haaretz that helicopters and tanks of the Israeli army had, in fact, killed many of the 1,139 soldiers and civilians claimed by Israel to have been killed by the Palestinian Resistance.
The Israeli response in Gaza has killed more than 40,700 people, according to Palestinian health authorities.
Lammy said Monday’s decision was not a judgment on whether Israel had breached international law or not. Israel and Palestinian leaders have dismissed allegations of war crimes.
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Israel ‘disappointed’ by UK decision to block some arms export to Israel
Middle East Monitor / September 2, 2024
Israeli officials, on Monday, voiced disappointment to a British government decision to suspend some arms export to Israel, Anadolu Agency reports.
Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, said Tel Aviv is “disappointed by a series of decisions” by the UK, including the decision regarding the arms exports, according to the Times of Israel news website.
He alleged that such decision send “a very problematic message” to Hamas and Iran.
Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, said he is “deeply disheartened” by the decision, arguing that it comes at a time “when we fight a war on 7 different fronts”.
“I stand by our troops and security agencies working with immense courage, professionalism and moral values. We remain committed to defending the State of Israel and her people,” Gallant added.
The UK has suspended 30 arms export licenses to Israel after a review, Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, announced earlier in the day.
During a speech in Parliament, Lammy said the decision came following a review of export licenses for UK arms which found there was a “clear risk” that they would be used in a way that could breach international law.
Around 30 of 350 licenses will be suspended, he said, adding: “This is not a blanket ban, this is not an arms embargo.”
The 30 licenses include components for military aircraft, helicopters, drones and items which facilitate ground targeting.
Unlike the US, the UK does not directly supply Israel with arms but it does grant export licenses for British companies to sell arms to Israel.
Israel has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, in Gaza since a 7 October cross-border attack by Hamas. The actions have triggered a humanitarian disaster and an ongoing trial over genocide at the International Court of Justice.
