Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Local Syrian sources: The village of Al-Thala in the western countryside of Sweida was subjected to mortar shelling, with explosions heard in the area.
Occupied Palestine: Very violent Israeli raids target Tal al-Zaatar in Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip.
Occupied Palestine: 15 martyrs were recovered as a result of the ongoing Israeli raids on the city of Beit Lahia and the Jabalia camp in the northern Gaza Strip.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in occupied Palestine: More than 300 martyrs and 500 wounded in three days of ongoing Israeli raids on the Gaza Strip.
Occupied Palestine: The occupation aims to ethnically cleanse the Sultan area near the Zikim settlement.
Occupied Palestine: The IOF is besieging a school housing displaced persons in the Al-Sultan area, north of the Gaza Strip.
Occupied Palestine: Dozens of martyrs and wounded, mostly children and women, in Israeli raids on the northern Gaza Strip.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in occupied Palestine: The Israeli occupation is committing genocide in Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip.
Occupied Palestine: The Indonesian hospital is filled with martyrs and wounded after the IOF bombed homes in northern Gaza.
Occupied Palestine: IOF aircraft targeted a tent on Al-Madrasa Street in the Al-Mashrou area, west of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip

Britain's Arms Restrictions are symbolic yet send a meaningful message

  • Tom Fowdy Tom Fowdy
  • Source: Al Mayadeen English
  • 6 Sep 2024 00:32
4 Min Read

The selective arms embargo sends a credible affirmation that the deeds of the Netanyahu government are contrary to international law.

Listen
  • x
  • Britain's Arms Restrictions are symbolic yet send a meaningful message
    Britain's Arms Restrictions are symbolic yet send a meaningful message (Illustrated to Al Mayadeen English by Mahdi Rteil)

At the beginning of this week, the British government announced a revoking of 30 export licenses for arms related products to Tel Aviv, explicitly stating that it was their assessment that some of these munitions were being used contrary to international law. The embargo, although far from being comprehensive, was quickly condemned by supporters of Netanyahu’s government, who also responded by attempting to frame itself as if it were the “victim”, despite over 41,000 people having died in the invasion and carpet bombing of Gaza, and humanitarian conditions deteriorating so severely that some major diseases, such as polio, have resurfaced.

Given that the benchmark of expectations from Britain is very low regarding this subject matter, it is a welcome step that some form of action, as symbolic as it may be, has been taken by the government. This was not expected all but a few months ago, given that previously while in opposition, Keir Starmer worked relentlessly to purge criticism of Zionism from his party, supported the destruction of Gaza, and for a great length of time, even opposed a ceasefire. However, upon taking office, his foreign policy has proved far more pragmatic than anticipated. 

Related News

Germany: Sacrificing academic freedom for the sake of 'Israel'

Israeli manpower shortages offer a firm reckoning of Gaza genocide

One factor in this is that the Labour Party lost a great deal of Muslim votes in the 2024 election, largely winning due to the incompetence of its opponents, and several independent MPs (including party leader Jeremy Corbyn) even defeated Labour in these communities. Thus, while in government, it is imperative for balance in the Labour Party; to be seen to be doing something concerning Gaza, and thus providing a contrast to the Conservative Party’s unconditional backing of Netanyahu and the war in Gaza. However, given the state of the British media, and the reality that it remains an overall elite consensus supporting Zionism in the West, as well as irking the United States, not much more can be expected from the UK government.

Despite this, the message that this selective embargo sends is meaningful and has political substance to it. First, it sends a credible affirmation that the deeds of the Netanyahu government are contrary to international law, something its supporters in the West want to brush under the carpet, and thus comes as an acknowledgement that this conflict has brought about wide and large-scale human suffering. It is not propaganda and not an exaggeration to make such a point. Second, given the United Kingdom is often the “second advocate” of American led foreign policies, and is used strategically to “back them up” in compelling Europe to follow suit, the political influence of the United Kingdom gives other countries political space to criticise the situation in Gaza and set a precedent that they can hide behind.

For example, if the UK is suspending certain arms exports, this gives the green light for other countries in Europe to follow suit. The rolling effect of this decision is that it changes the debate and makes it ever so more difficult for certain parties to shut down the debate over Gaza with the other tropes, and therefore raises the moral costs of supporting the catastrophe in Palestine. In addition, this also increases the political costs of Netanyahu pursuing his now parallel campaign in the West Bank, which should be accurately assessed as attempting to provoke a conflict, again claim the state is victimised, and therefore use large scale military assaults to destroy buildings, seize land and annex territory. This also, as unlikely as it may still be, opens the way for people to push the British government and the debate on the issue further.

However, the overall question is what difference will this make? The Netanyahu government is ultimately relentless, and insomuch it continues to receive unconditional backing from the United States, it is fair to assess his actions will continue, even if at an increased cost. The UK’s decision may be an important crack in the dam, but advocates for Palestine will rightfully argue that there is far more to be done before the “floodgates” are metaphorically opened. There are still too many influential people, organisations, and countries happy to greenlight the violent campaigns in the occupied territories of Palestine, but even the subtle recognition in Westminster that such is actually happening will certainly be taken as a good starting point.

The opinions mentioned in this article do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Al mayadeen, but rather express the opinion of its writer exclusively.
  • Palestine
  • Arms Embargo
  • Gaza genocide
  • Israeli occupation
  • UK
Tom Fowdy

Tom Fowdy

British journalist, columnist, and political analyst, with a specialist focus on Asia topics. He resides in South Korea.

Most Read

All
Throughout Operation Prosperity Guardian, current and former US military and intelligence officials expressed disquiet at the enormous “cost offset” involved in battling Ansar Allah. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Zeinab El-Hajj)

Ansar Allah triumphant: US facing Red Sea defeat again

  • Opinion
  • 3 May 2025
"Israel" appears to be the only place in the world where there are actual demonstrations defending rapists as national heroes precisely because of their crimes. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

'Israeli pride' - Celebrating rape in the Zionist entity

  • Opinion
  • 4 May 2025
Why the Israelis cannot win in Gaza or Yemen

Why the Israelis cannot win in Gaza or Yemen

  • Opinion
  • 7 May 2025
The hero who overthrows tyranny: The path of Izz ad-Din al-Qassam

The hero who overthrows tyranny: The path of Izz ad-Din al-Qassam

  • Blog
  • 2 May 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

More from this writer

All
Netanyahu has already fallen into the trap of a huge cat and mouse, or a “whack-a-mole” game, which is hugely costly and simply unsustainable. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Ali Al-Hadi Shmeiss)

Netanyahu has gravely miscalculated invading Lebanon

Essentially, the game goes “You have done X against us, therefore we will salami slice your land further.” (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Zeinab El-Hajj)

West Bank attacks lay bare what Netanyahu's endgame is for Palestinian territories

The US wants damage control, but Netanyahu wants conflict because it is in his political interest to do so. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Zeinab El-Hajj)

It's America, not 'Israel' who wants a ceasefire

Understanding Netanyahu's playbook of escalation for political gain

Understanding Netanyahu's playbook of escalation for political gain

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS