Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly condemned the United Kingdom’s decision to suspend around 30 export licenses to Israel, labeling the move as “shameful” and “misguided.” The UK made this decision due to concerns that the exported arms could be used in violations of international humanitarian law in the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Netanyahu expressed his disapproval in a post on a social media platform, emphasizing that the suspension of arms sales will not deter Israel from its military campaign in Gaza. He asserted, “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.”
The Israeli Prime Minister went on to compare Israel’s military actions in Gaza to Britain’s historical resistance against the Nazis, highlighting the importance of Israel’s fight against Hamas and Iran’s axis of terror. He stressed that Israel is operating within the boundaries of international law and is taking unprecedented measures to protect civilians during the conflict.
The UK’s Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson have also criticized the suspension of arms sales to Israel. Mirvis described the decision as “beggaring belief,” while Johnson accused current Labour leaders Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy of abandoning Israel and potentially supporting Hamas in the conflict.
In response to the backlash, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz expressed disappointment with the UK government’s actions, stating that it sends a troubling message to Hamas and its supporters in Iran. He emphasized Israel’s commitment to international law and its ongoing efforts to defend itself against terrorist threats, calling on friendly countries like the UK to recognize Israel’s lawful actions.
The UK’s decision on arms export licenses has sparked controversy within the Conservative Party as well. Tory MP Andrew Mitchell questioned the effectiveness of the suspension, suggesting that it was primarily done to appease Labour MPs without achieving any significant impact. He criticized the timing of the decision, particularly as Israel was dealing with security threats from Iran and ongoing negotiations for the release of hostages.
Meanwhile, in UK politics, the leadership race within the Conservative Party has begun to intensify. Former Home Secretary James Cleverly launched his leadership bid, emphasizing the need to restore confidence in capitalism and reduce migration. Cleverly highlighted the importance of party unity and reaching out to young voters who may have been disillusioned with the Conservatives, referring to the party as the “grumpy party” that needs to adopt a more optimistic approach.
The UK government has also faced scrutiny over its handling of public finances, with accusations from the Conservatives that Labour exaggerated the scale of the financial challenges facing the country. Cabinet Secretary Simon Case rebuked these claims, pointing out the lack of a spending review in the final year of the Conservative government, which contributed to the uncertainty in the Treasury.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, it is clear that the UK’s decision to suspend arms sales to Israel has sparked heated debates and raised questions about the country’s foreign policy stance. The repercussions of this move are likely to reverberate within the Conservative Party and across international relations, as different factions navigate their positions on the conflict in Gaza and the broader implications of arms sales to Israel.
