This afternoon the UK Government announced it was suspending around 30 arms export licenses to Israel after a comprehensive review. This suspension applies specifically to cases where the Government found a “clear risk” that UK arms may be used in serious violation of humanitarian law. Specifically, it determined that there was a risk in relation to the treatment of Palestinian detainees and the supply of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Earlier this evening, Yachad Executive Director Hannah Weisfeld attended a meeting with Foreign Secretary David Lammy, along with other community representatives, where he outlined the factors determining this decision. During the meeting he restated that the UK government remains committed to Israel’s regional security and also offered his condolences in relation to the murder of the six hostages, whose bodies were brought back to Israel over the weekend, emphasizing that the UK is doing everything in its power to help bring back the remaining hostages alive.
He recognised that this was a particularly difficult and painful time and crucially made clear that the timing of the announcement reflected the government’s legal obligation to act after completing a comprehensive review process, or otherwise risk being in breach of the law.
The Israeli government continues to fight a war in Gaza – a war which has killed thousands of Palestinian civilians and catastrophically destroyed Gaza’s civilian infrastructure, failed to secure the safe return of the remaining hostages, and one which has brought the entire region to the brink of wider conflict. The war no longer commands the support of the Israeli public who are out on the streets in the hundreds of thousands demonstrating.
To be clear – the conduct of Hamas, and its brutal murder of over 1200 of Israel’s citizens, the taking of over 200 hostages and their execution of six hostages this past week are despicable war crimes for which their leadership must face the consequences of.
But the announcement by the UK government today is yet one more example of the extent to which Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government has created a situation in which Israel finds itself increasingly isolated, not only within the court of international opinion, but from its own citizens.
We stand in solidarity with the people on the streets of Israel demanding an end to this catastrophic war, and with hostage families calling for a deal, and will continue to be resolutely committed to doing everything we can to support not just this immediate outcome, but a future in which Israelis and Palestinians can live with the safety, security and dignity they deserve.