In response to the global outcry over Israel’s actions in Gaza, more than 130 members of the British Parliament, including Members of Parliament and ministers from the House of Lords, have united to urge the British government to cease arms sales to Israel.
A letter addressed to Foreign Secretary David Cameron, spearheaded by Labour MP Zarah Sultana, has garnered support from 107 MPs and 27 peers, including notable figures such as former Labour Middle East Minister Peter Hain, SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, as reported by the Guardian.
Signatories encompass a diverse range of political affiliations, including Conservative politician Nosheena Mobarik, Foreign Office Permanent Secretary John Kerr, and former Labour Party minister Tessa Blackstone. Notably, the letter has received significant backing, with 46 Labour MPs and nearly the entire SNP parliamentary party lending their support.
Describing UK arms sales to Israel as completely unacceptable, the letter noted the use of British-manufactured weaponry in the Gaza Strip. Additionally, it references a UN inquiry indicating that a UK-component-equipped F-16 fighter jet may have been involved in attacks on British doctors in Gaza.
Highlighting past precedents, the letter recalls instances where UK administrations halted arms sales to Israel during previous escalations of conflict in Gaza. Despite the current escalation and witnessing heightened levels of violence from the Israeli military, the UK government has yet to take decisive action.
Despite mounting international concerns regarding potential war crimes and genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, the UK has continued to provide military support to Israel, with UK manufacturers supplying components for F-35 fighter jets. Recent revelations from the Ministry of Defence revealed that nine Israeli military aircraft have been authorised to use UK bases, while approximately 50 Royal Air Force aircraft have made flights to Israel since October 7.
Echoing sentiments from politicians across multiple countries, calls for an arms embargo on Israel have intensified, citing moral and legal imperatives. This momentum follows a ruling by the Court of Appeal in The Hague, mandating the Netherlands to halt F-35 component exports due to concerns over complicity in Israel’s human rights violations.
Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Melanie Joly, also announced a cessation of arms exports to Israel in response to ongoing aggression in Gaza.
The UK government’s guidelines for arms exports stipulate a duty to halt exports if there is a significant risk of weapons being used in serious violations of international humanitarian law. However, activists have raised questions about the government’s commitment to these legal obligations, particularly in light of assurances from Israeli officials regarding adherence to humanitarian laws.