What really lies behind the decision to restrict arms sales to Israel
3 months, 3 weeks ago

What really lies behind the decision to restrict arms sales to Israel

The Independent  

To judge by the indignation from Israel and its friends here, David Lammy’s revocation of nearly 10 per cent of British export licenses for the few weapons it sells to the IDF and Israeli security services was a bombshell. Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu decried the UK’s decision, coming only days after Hamas executed six hostages, as “shameful”. Savaging the PM as “two-tier Keir” overlooks the fact that throughout his career, Starmer has been doggedly committed to the idea of international law and the need for governments to abide by it. He assured MPs: “We will never withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights.” The prime minister backed the International Criminal Court, promoted originally by Tony Blair five years before invading Iraq. The defence secretary, John Healey, has admitted that Whitehall fears its exports could be “in breach” of international law and ICJ rulings.

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History of this topic

Starmer: Wrong to consider total ban on UK arms sales to Israel
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Starmer: Wrong to consider total ban on UK arms sales to Israel

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Prime Minister said a …

Is the UK right to suspend arms sales to Israel? Join The Independent Debate
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Is the UK right to suspend arms sales to Israel? Join The Independent Debate

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Last week, Prime …

‘Legal decision, not a policy decision’ to suspend Israel arms exports – Starmer
3 months, 3 weeks ago

‘Legal decision, not a policy decision’ to suspend Israel arms exports – Starmer

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Sir Keir Starmer has claimed Britain’s allies “understand” its move …

UK suspends some licenses for arms exports to Israel
3 months, 3 weeks ago

UK suspends some licenses for arms exports to Israel

China Daily  

Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy leaves after a meeting with his Israeli and French counterparts in Jerusalem on Aug 16. Lammy said the review, commissioned immediately after the Labour Party's landslide election victory in July, found a "clear risk" the arms might be used to commit "a serious violation of international humanitarian law". Lammy noted that the review conducted by …

Starmer feels heat from US over partial arms ban as Netanyahu blasts ‘shameful’ decision
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Starmer feels heat from US over partial arms ban as Netanyahu blasts ‘shameful’ decision

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “A supposedly ‘robust’ arms control system shouldn’t be leaving open huge loopholes that will almost …

UK support for Israel ‘unshakeable’ says Healey amid backlash over arms decision
3 months, 3 weeks ago

UK support for Israel ‘unshakeable’ says Healey amid backlash over arms decision

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Israel’s defence minister Yoav Gallant …

U.K. Suspends Some Arms Exports To Israel Over Risk Of Breaking International Law
3 months, 3 weeks ago

U.K. Suspends Some Arms Exports To Israel Over Risk Of Breaking International Law

Huff Post  

A man takes cover behind a column as an explosion propagates smoke and dust during an Israeli strike which reportedly targeted a school in the Zeitoun district on the outskirts of Gaza City, on Sept. 1, 2024. OMAR AL-QATTAA via Getty Images LONDON — U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government said Monday that it’s suspending exports of some weapons to …

UK to suspend 30 export licences for arms to Israel, Lammy announces
3 months, 3 weeks ago

UK to suspend 30 export licences for arms to Israel, Lammy announces

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Britain is suspending …

UK to suspend some arms export licences to Israel, says Foreign Secretary
3 months, 3 weeks ago

UK to suspend some arms export licences to Israel, says Foreign Secretary

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The UK Government is suspending around 30 arms export licences …

Sir Keir Starmer's top legal adviser intervenes in tense row over the UK continuing to sell arms to Israel
3 months, 4 weeks ago

Sir Keir Starmer's top legal adviser intervenes in tense row over the UK continuing to sell arms to Israel

Daily Mail  

Keir Starmer's top legal adviser has reportedly intervened in the row over the UK continuing to sell arms to Israel. Attorney General Richard Hermer KC is said to have told Foreign Office officials he will not approve a decision to ban some weapons sales but allow others until they are certain which could be used to break international humanitarian law, …

Uncertainty over Israel’s compliance with international law ‘a challenge for UK’
7 months, 1 week ago

Uncertainty over Israel’s compliance with international law ‘a challenge for UK’

The Telegraph  

Uncertainty over Israel’s compliance with international law poses a “challenge” for the UK, the Middle East minister has said, as Britain comes under increasing pressure to ban arms exports to the country. Lord Ahmad, who has ministerial responsibility for the region, said Israel was leaving “many of its partners”, including the UK, “pretty challenged on where we are currently on …

US says Israel’s use of US arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
7 months, 2 weeks ago

US says Israel’s use of US arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration said Friday that Israel’s use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but that wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes. While U.S. officials were unable to gather all the information they needed on specific strikes, the report said that given Israel’s “significant reliance” on U.S.-made …

U.S. says Israel’s use of American arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
7 months, 2 weeks ago

U.S. says Israel’s use of American arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete

LA Times  

The Biden administration says that Israel’s use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law, but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes. The Democratic administration took one of the first steps toward conditioning military aid to Israel in recent days when it paused a shipment of 3,500 bombs out of concern …

Defiant David Cameron defends UK arms sales to Israel hours after Joe Biden threatens to withhold weapons
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Defiant David Cameron defends UK arms sales to Israel hours after Joe Biden threatens to withhold weapons

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A defiant Lord …

David Cameron hints Britain won't copy US by halting arms sales to Israel if Netanyahu launches major attack on Rafah - but Foreign Secretary stresses UK won't support assault without plan to protect
7 months, 2 weeks ago

David Cameron hints Britain won't copy US by halting arms sales to Israel if Netanyahu launches major attack on Rafah - but Foreign Secretary stresses UK won't support assault without plan to protect

Daily Mail  

David Cameron today played down the prospect of Britain copying US President Joe Biden's threat to halt arms supplies to Israel. Following a speech at the National Cyber Security Centre this morning, Lord Cameron said Britain would not support a major offensive in Rafah without seeing Israel's plan to protect Gaza civilians. David Cameron today played down the prospect of …

A legal challenge over the UK’s role in arms sales to Israel will go ahead
8 months ago

A legal challenge over the UK’s role in arms sales to Israel will go ahead

Associated Press  

LONDON — A legal challenge over the British government’s role in allowing weapons to be sent to Israel can be heard at the High Court later this year, a judge said Tuesday. Palestinian human rights organization Al-Haq and the U.K.-based Global Legal Action Network filed the challenge in December, calling for the U.K. to stop granting licenses for arms exports …

UK won't stop sending weapons to Israel: Cameron
8 months, 2 weeks ago

UK won't stop sending weapons to Israel: Cameron

Hindustan Times  

The British government has concluded it can keep sending weapons to Israel, Foreign Secretary David Cameron said Tuesday, rejecting pressure to suspend exports over charges of humanitarian violations in Gaza. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron "On Israel and international humanitarian law, and as required by the UK's robust arms export control regime, I have now reviewed the most recent advice …

UK will not block arms sales to Israel, says Foreign Minister David Cameron
8 months, 2 weeks ago

UK will not block arms sales to Israel, says Foreign Minister David Cameron

Al Jazeera  

British government is coming under growing pressure to halt weapons supplies to Israel as it continues its war on Gaza. The United Kingdom will not halt arms sales to Israel by British companies after reviewing the latest legal advice on the matter, Foreign Minister David Cameron has said. Six months into the Israeli assault on Gaza, triggered by the October …

Senior U.K. jurists join calls to stop arms sales to Israel
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Senior U.K. jurists join calls to stop arms sales to Israel

The Hindu  

More than 600 British jurists, including three retired judges from the U.K. Supreme Court, are calling on the government to suspend arms sales to Israel, piling pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak after the deaths of three U.K. aid workers in an Israeli strike. In an open letter to Mr. Sunak published late Wednesday, the lawyers and judges said the …

UK’s Rishi Sunak faces growing pressure to stop arms sales to Israel
8 months, 3 weeks ago

UK’s Rishi Sunak faces growing pressure to stop arms sales to Israel

Al Jazeera  

Political pressure on British PM to halt arms exports to Israel grows after seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen were killed in an air attack on Gaza. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is facing growing political pressure to stop selling weapons to Israel after seven aid workers, including three British nationals, were killed by an Israeli air attack on …

Why a majority of Britons want the U.K. to halt arms exports to Israel
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Why a majority of Britons want the U.K. to halt arms exports to Israel

NPR  

Why a majority of Britons want the U.K. to halt arms exports to Israel Enlarge this image toggle caption Hugh Hastings/Getty Images Hugh Hastings/Getty Images LONDON and BRIGHTON, England — With more than 33,000 Palestinians killed so far in Israel's military operation in Gaza, according to Gaza's health ministry, the deaths of three British aid workers there this week may …

The killing of aid workers adds to pressure on the UK government to halt arms sales to Israel
8 months, 3 weeks ago

The killing of aid workers adds to pressure on the UK government to halt arms sales to Israel

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain’s main opposition parties demanded Wednesday that the Conservative government publish legal advice it has received on whether Israel has broken international humanitarian law during the war in Gaza. David Lammy, foreign affairs spokesman for the main opposition Labour Party, said “there are very serious accusations that Israel has breached international law.” He urged the government to “publish …

ICJ ruling in Gaza genocide case renews calls to end Israel arms transfers
10 months, 4 weeks ago

ICJ ruling in Gaza genocide case renews calls to end Israel arms transfers

Al Jazeera  

Advocates urge countries to suspend arms sales to Israel after top UN court says risk of genocide in Gaza plausible. But the ruling “goes beyond Israel” alone, Jarrar told Al Jazeera, as it highlights countries’ legal and political obligations to take action to prevent the alleged genocide unfolding in Gaza. “The US can’t and should not continue its arms transfers …

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