The abhorrent partial ban of UK arms exports to Israel by the current Labour government has placed the UK at odds with a Jewish state fighting terrorists for its survival, and has placed Britain’s future in unchartered territory.
The suspension of 30 licenses preventing British companies from supplying arms to Israel is a distressing sign for Britain’s relationship with Israel. This is not how you treat an ally. Israel’s enemies are Britain’s enemies and the UK should be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Jewish state’s defense against terror. The ban does nothing to advance peace; rather it sends the wrong message to Iran and its proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad and the Houthis.
The Foreign Secretary David Lammy might be attempting to appease Israel’s opponents, even though protesters are demanding a full embargo. Or is this new government trying to test the water in how far it can penalise Israel in addition to its recent actions with UNRWA and the ICC. If so, this might only be the beginning of further alienation of Israel.
Not only is Starmer’s government jeopardising the UK-Israel relationship and Britain’s national security, but the basis for the ban is flawed. Israel is not breaking international humanitarian law. The reason for imposing the restriction in case Israel “might” do so, is a very weak argument and follows the false premise, propagated by Israel’s enemies, that claims Israel is committing war crimes.
David Lammy’s Monday statement was made at the same time as Israel was burying six hostages, whose bodies were recovered by the IDF on Saturday, having been shot by Hamas shortly before rescue. This insensitive timing is very disturbing and raises questions about the government’s moral judgment. Britain should be giving its full support in Israel’s fight against terror. This compromise sadly weakens this position and gives oxygen to those expressing hatred towards Israel, something that does nothing to help the safety of the Jewish community in Britain.
Many key figures have voiced their objection, including the UK’s Chief Rabbi:
“It beggars belief that the British government, a close strategic ally of Israel, has announced a partial suspension of arms licences, at a time when Israel is fighting a war for its very survival on seven fronts forced upon it on the 7th October, and at the very moment when six hostages murdered in cold blood by cruel terrorists were being buried by their families,” he said.
He added: “As Israel faces down the threat of Iran and its proxies, not just to its own people, but to all of us in the democratic west; this announcement feeds the falsehood that Israel is in breach of International Humanitarian Law, when in fact it is going to extraordinary lengths to uphold it.
“Sadly, this announcement will serve to encourage our shared enemies. It will not help to secure the release of the remaining 101 hostages, nor contribute to the peaceful future we wish and pray for, for all people in the region and beyond.
“Britain and Israel have so much to gain by standing together against our common enemies for the sake of a safer world. Surely that must be the way forward.”
Israel’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, said he was “disappointed” by the British decision, adding it sent “a very problematic message to the terrorist organisation Hamas and its sponsors in Iran”.
In a series of tweets, former trade secretary under the previous Conservative government, Kemi Badenoch, stated: “It is not true that the removal of Israel arms licenses was a legal decision. Keir Starmer should not hide behind this fig leaf. It was very much a political decision.”
“I know this because I oversaw arms licenses and reviewed the legal advice. So why has the decision been made? It’s because Labour are scared…”
She says that the UK has “one of the most robust export control systems in the world” and what many don’t realise is that “imported Israeli arms have protected UK service personnel in conflicts like Afghanistan and Iraq. Along with intelligence, our defence trade with Israel is of mutual benefit, and when this war ends, Israel’s view of our trade relationship will be changed.”
Former Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, stated: “The Foreign Secretary has damaged two of our most important relationships at a crucial time – and it won’t have the impact he wants.”
Labour Friends of Israel said in a statement: ”Since 7 October, Israel has come under repeated, unprovoked and indiscriminate attack by Iran and its proxies Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis.
“We do not believe that restrictions on UK arms sales will help bring the tragic conflict in Gaza to a close or help ensure the release of the hostages, six of whom Hamas brutally murdered just days ago.
“Moreover, we are deeply concerned by the signal this sends to Iran, the world’s leading sponsor of state terrorism and Vladimir Putin’s closest ally in Ukraine.
“We fear therefore that these restrictions risk encouraging Israel’s enemies, leading to greater escalation rather than deescalation.”
