Keir Starmer accused of risking damaging ‘split’ with the US over arms for Israel as ministers face pressure from Washington for suspending sales licences over Gaza lawbreaking fears _ Hieuuk
Keir Starmer was accused of risking creating a damaging ‘split’ with the United States today as he faced pressure over suspended arms sales to Israel.
Sir Keir was grilled by Tory leader Rishi Sunak at Prime Minister’s Question’s over Monday’s polarising decision to halt exports of some materiel over fears about how it might be used in Gaza.
The US has refused to follow Britain and suspend arms sales to Israel over fears of lawbreaking amid the bloodshed.
Amid a furious row over the decision by David Lammy to suspend a small percentage of export licences, the Biden Administration said it would continue to support the country’s ‘defensive capabilities’.
Mr Sunak asked the PM to explain ‘how his decision will help to secure the release of the 101 hostages still being held by Hamas’.
Sir Keir replied: ‘The remaining hostages must be released and we need a ceasefire to ensure that, that can happen, that aid desperately needed can get into the region, and we can begin the path to a two state solution.
Sir Keir was grilled by Tory leader Rishi Sunak at Prime Minister’s Question’s over Monday’s polarising decision to halt exports of some materiel over fears about how it might be used in Gaza.
Mr Sunak asked the PM to explain ‘ how his decision will help to secure the release of the 101 hostages still being held by Hamas’.
‘He asks how we arrived at this decision – he knows very well, because the legal framework is clear – the latest guidance was issued in 2021, under his government, and that means that licences have to be kept under review, as they were by his government.
‘And I think he probably knows the advice that was given to his government, he understands the framework.
‘We’ve carried out the review in the same way, and come to a clear legal conclusion, and shared that conclusion, the assessment, with Parliament.’
The Foreign Secretary on Monday said the UK would suspend 30 out of 350 export licences, citing fears armaments using UK-made parts could be used in breach of international law by the Israeli defence Force (IDF).
It sparked angry criticism from Israel supporters condemning it and pro-Palestinians saying it did not go far enough.
The US was informed of the move in advance, but last night US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said America would not follow suit.
‘There’s been no determination by the United States they have violated international humanitarian law … we’re going to continue to do what we have to do to support Israel’s defensive capabilities,’ he said.
And US State department spokesman Matt Miller said that it would use its own assessment of whether international law had been broken.
Amid a furious row over the decision by David Lammy to suspend a small percentage of export licences, the Biden Administration said it would continue to support the country’s ‘defensive capabilities’.
The Foreign Secretary on Monday said the UK would suspend 30 out of 350 export licences, citing fears armaments using UK-made parts could be used in breach of international law by the Israeli defence Force (IDF).
The US was informed of the move in advance, but last night US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said America would not follow suit. (file picture)
And US State department spokesman Matt Miller said that it would use its own assessment of whether international law had been broken.
‘They [the UK] had a legal framework that they needed to apply, they applied that legal framework, and it led them to this decision. And it’s of course appropriate for them to make their own legal judgments, based on their system and their laws,’ he said.
‘We have reviews that are ongoing. I don’t want to prejudge what those reviews will conclude, but we are looking at a number of possible violations of international humanitarian law, and we’ll make our own assessments based on our review of the facts and our own judgments on our laws, as well as international humanitarian law.
Boris Johnson joined Benjamin Netanyahu and Jewish groups in condemning the ‘shameful’ decision last night.
A major diplomatic row unfolded over the Foreign Secretary‘s move – with the Israeli prime minister claiming Britain’s ‘misguided’ decision would only ’embolden Hamas‘.
But Mr Netanyahu vowed it would ‘not change’ his country’s ‘determination’ to defeat them.
Mr Johnson questioned whether Labour were ‘abandoning Israel’.
The former prime minister tweeted: ‘Hamas is still holding many innocent Jewish hostages while Israel tries to prevent a repeat of the October massacre. ‘Why are Lammy and Starmer abandoning Israel? Do they want Hamas to win?’
After the decision on Monday, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said: ‘Days after Hamas executed six Israeli hostages, the UK government suspended 30 arms licences to Israel.
‘This shameful decision will not change Israel’s determination to defeat Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organization that savagely murdered 1,200 people on October 7, including 14 British citizens. Hamas is still holding over 100 hostages, including five British citizens.
‘Instead of standing with Israel, a fellow democracy defending itself against barbarism, Britain’s misguided decision will only embolden Hamas.’
The decision has severely strained the UK’s relationship with Israel.
Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, claimed the decision issued a ‘terrible message’ in Israel’s ‘hour of need’.
Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant attend a press conference in October
Demonstrators stand around a fire as they protest against the government in Tel Aviv tonight
A protestor holds a placard during a protest in Tel Aviv on Monday
Mr Netanyahu is currently under heavy pressure in Israel over his handling of the war and efforts to recover hostages taken in Hamas terrorists’ October 7 attack.
Thousands massed at protests across Israel for the third consecutive day of demonstrations calling for a ceasefire in the war in Gaza.
Demonstrators blocked traffic outside the IDF’s military headquarters in Tel Aviv in a bid to put pressure on Netanyahu‘s war cabinet to find a lasting resolution and ensure the return of the remaining hostages.
Others amassed outside the Prime Minister’s home in Jerusalem, lighting fires and lifting banners calling to ‘stop the war’ as unrest grows around the perceived stalling of negotiations with Hamas.
The movement, which has been organising rallies in the city for months, has gained support since Israel’s Defense Forces recovered the bodies of six more captives from Gaza on Saturday night, all reportedly executed by Hamas days prior.
Protesters in Tel Aviv were joined by family members of some of those still in Gaza, who spoke critically of Netanyahu before observing a short silence and prayer. The crowd marked the end of the silence chanting ‘Everyone! Now!’ calling for the full release of hostages.
Many brought signs and flags to the events emblazoned with critical slogans including ‘Executed by Hamas / Abandoned by Netanyahu’ and ‘I added clauses. Hostages died. Sorry’, others calling for a permanent ceasefire with Hamas or a new government.
The US said it is time to ‘finalise’ a deal between Israel and Hamas to end the war, with Washington working ‘over the coming days’ with fellow mediators Egypt and Qatar ‘to push for a final agreement.
