Britain announces partial ban on arms sales to Israel as UK is accused of ‘caving to pro-Hamas brigade’ --[Reported by Umva mag]

BRITAIN is suspending around 30 arms export licences to Israel – but the decision sparked a major row over “caving” to the pro-Gaza mob.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he had no choice but to stop the shipments that could be used to “facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian laws”.

EPA

The Minister said it is “not a decision we take lightly” and that he continues to support Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas.

The 30 export licences – out of a total 350 – will impact the sales of kit like aircraft, helicopters and drones.

He said the decision follows a two-month internal review following serious concern about Israel’s conduct in Gaza.

But Labour was accused of “shameful gesture politics” and caving to the mob after banning some sales of arms to Israel.

Israel hit back warning “suspending the export licences will have no impact on Israeli military but it’s a damaging symbolic event with implications”.

Israel’s defence minister Yoav Gallant said he was “deeply disheartened” by the decision while the foreign minister Israel Katz added it  “sends a very problematic message to Hamas and Iran.”

And a senior Israeli official branded it a “miserable and insensitive” move coming “the same day as we bury hostages executed by Hamas.”

The Israel Solidarity Movement warned it could put intelligence sharing and the fight against Islamic extremism at risk.

They said: “By effectively appeasing Islamist and jihadist factions, the UK risks undermining its own security interests.

“Israel’s security forces have played a crucial role in counter-terrorism efforts worldwide, including providing invaluable expertise that has directly contributed to saving countless British lives.

“The UK’s decision to suspend arms sales overlooks the significant and ongoing cooperation between the two nations in the fight against terrorism.

The Labour Friends of Israel group also said they were “deeply concerned”.

They added: “We fear therefore that these restrictions risk encouraging Israel’s enemies, leading to greater escalation rather than deescalation.”

While the move delighted MPs in Labour and on the left, others were quick to warn it could have dangerous consequences.

Former Deputy PM Oliver Dowden saying he was “very concerned” that the ban came just “days after six hostages were murdered by Hamas.”

Tory leadership contender Robert Jenrick added: “This is shameful gesture politics to appease the hard Left. Sir Keir has put party management first, and Britain’s interests second.”

And the DUP MP Sammy Wilson said Hamas had been offered “a line of hope” as a result of the decision.

He added: “This is a bad decision. It’s a decision which we will come to live to regret, and it’s one which unfortunately I believe has been a result of … pressure which Labour MPs have found in their seats, as a result of pro-Gaza protests.”

“Britain should be standing with our ally Israel as it defends itself, and the world, against Iran’s war of state-sponsored terrorism.”

Mr Lammy insisted he remains a champion for Israel and supports a two-state solution for an independent Palestine.

He added: “I have made this decision with regret – in sorrow not anger.”

Making a statement in the Commons, he said: “Facing a conflict such as this, it is this Government’s legal duty to review export licences.

“Criteria 2C of the strategic export licensing criteria states that the Government will not issue export licences if there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law.

“It is with regret that I inform the House today the assessment I have received leaves me unable to conclude anything other than that for certain UK arms exports to Israel, there does exist a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

“I have informed the Business and Trade secretary, and he is therefore today announcing the suspension of around 30 from a total of approximately 350 to Israel, as required under the export controls act.

“These include equipment that we assess is for use in the current conflict in Gaza.”

He also announced new sanctions on four Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps force targets.

It came as four pro-Gaza MPs who took seats from Labour in July joined forces with ex-leader Jeremy Corbyn to attack Labour from the left.

Shockat Adam, Ayoub Khan, Adnan Hussain and Iqbal Mohamed, who were all elected in densely Muslim-populated areas,  formed an parliamentary group with the veteran left-winger.

But Tory leadership contender Kemi Badenoch yesterday blasted the “sectarian Islamist politics” that saw them elected.

She said: “When everyone was worried about the election of Reform MPs, I was far far more worried about the five new MPs elected on the back of sectarian, Islamist politics – alien ideas which have no place here.”

The row comes as tens of thousands angry Israeli protestors demanded a Gaza ceasefire – and the release of the remaining hostages.

An outpouring of grief and despair turned to anger as Israelis accused prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu of having blood on his hands.

In Tel Aviv, protesters poured onto the Ayalon Highway as fires raged and police deployed water cannons.

They took to the streets to vent their fury after six Israelis kidnapped on October 7 were brutally executed by Hamas.

As many as 500,000 took part in demos across the country as unrest grew.

Their bodies were recovered from the group’s terror tunnels beneath the southern Gaza city of Rafah by elite troops on Saturday.

Post-mortem results revealed they were shot multiple times at close range by their evil captors as the net closed in.

The six were named as Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Master Sgt Ori Danino.

Three of them – Yerushalmi, Gat and Goldberg-Polin – were said to be among the next to be released.

But negotiations tragically stalled and they were executed by Hamas before special forces could get to them in time.

Last night, US President Joe Biden upped the stakes after accusing Netanyahu of not doing enough to get the final hostage deal over the line.

Gil Dickmann, whose cousin Gat, 40, was among 251 hostages snatched by Hamas gunmen, vowed to fight on as she was laid to rest.

He said: “It’s the most tragic nightmare that we could have dreamed of.

“We were anxiously awaiting the deal that could bring Carmel back.
“We could have saved them all.

“It’s horrible we had to pay the price with Carmel’s life, but I really hope that this is a turning point.”

He urged the Israeli government to sign the ceasefire deal immediately to secure the release of the remaining 101 hostages in Gaza.

Analysts estimate that only 50 of them are still alive.
Thousands more returned to the streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem yesterday for a second day of protests.

A General Strike – called by unions – saw hospitals operating a reduced service, banks close and flights suspended at Ben Gurion Airport.
And last night, thousands were expected to descend on Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem.

Another massive rally was taking place at Begin Gate in Tel Aviv.
A “take it or leave it” deal is reportedly being finalised and will be presented to Israel and Hamas in the coming weeks.

Biden added: “We’re very close to that. Hope springs eternal.”

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