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Rishi Sunak fears Britain’s relationship with the United States could be damaged if the government freezes some arms exports to Israel.
The UK, in a break with Washington, has rescinded around 30 of its 350 export licences over fears the weapons could be used to violate international humanitarian law in the Gaza conflict.
Sir Keir Starmer said yesterday that Britain’s allies “understood” the move and insisted it was a “legal decision, not a political one”.
But former Prime Minister Sunak warned it was important for nations to stand together “in the face of the terrorist threat”.
Rishi Sunak warns it is important for nations to stand together ‘in the face of terrorist threats’
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the West Bank. The UK, in a break with Washington, has rescinded around 30 of its 350 export licences over arms concerns.
A major diplomatic row has erupted over the Labor Party’s decision, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling it “shameful.”
Sir Ephraim Mirvis, chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregation of the Commonwealth, said the move “impoverishes faith” at a time when “six hostages murdered in cold blood by brutal terrorists are being buried by their families.”
And another former prime minister, Boris Johnson, questioned whether Labour was “abandoning Israel”.
At Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday, Mr Sunak said: “It is imperative that we maintain our transatlantic unity in the face of the terrorist threat and avoid the perception of division between our two countries.”
The Conservative leader then asked Sir Keir: ‘So can you brief the House, or tell the House, what your relationship was with the United States before you took this important decision?’
Sir Kiir said he had “spoken to our allies about this, they understand, they have different legal systems, that is what they have done”.
But Sunak said the decision had “emotional” consequences, noting that Sir Keir’s move came on the same day as the funeral of an Israeli hostage killed by Hamas. He added: “I hope the Prime Minister understands the harm that has been caused and will take this opportunity to reassure Israel and the Jewish community that the UK and this House stand with Israel and that it has the right to defend itself.”
Sir Kiir said he would “continue to defend Israel’s right to self-defence” and insisted that “it is not an Israel problem, it is the whole licensing framework that needs to be reviewed, it is the same test for all licences.”
The exchange came after the United States refused to follow the United Kingdom’s lead in suspending arms sales.
US President Joe Biden. The exchange came after the US refused to follow the UK’s lead in suspending arms sales.
Sir Keir Starmer said yesterday that Britain’s allies “understand” the move and insisted that “it is not a legal decision.”
The US had reportedly privately warned Britain against the move as it could undermine efforts to negotiate a ceasefire.
One minister also described the move as an attempt to “appease all parties” that had “disheartened everyone.”
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said: “We will let other countries decide for themselves whether they support Israel or not.”
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller added on Tuesday: “It’s not that we disagree with the UK’s position, it’s that the UK makes an assessment based on its legal framework.”
“We make an assessment based on our own legal framework.”
