UK MPs pressure government to halt all arm supplies to 'Israel'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
27 Mar 2024 15:06

Over 130 MPs have signed a letter to cut off arms supply to the Israeli occupation, amid the latter's breach of international humanitarian law and the newly passed ceasefire.

Pro-Palestinian protesters hold up flags during a demonstration in London on Saturday, February 3, 2024, as they demand a full ceasefire and an end to the siege of Gaza. (AP)

The United Kingdom's government came under growing pressure to halt all arms sales to the Israeli occupation after the passing of a ceasefire resolution at the United Nations Security Council, one that "Israel" has breached.

A report by The Guardian revealed that over 130 parliamentarians signed a letter addressed to Foreign Secretary David Cameron presenting actions taken by other countries, notably Canada's decision to suspend arms sales to "Israel".

Just two days ago, two legal groups – Global Legal Action Network (GLAN) and Al-Haq – revealed that they were separately preparing for an oral hearing to ask permission for a judicial review of the government’s refusal to stop sending arms to "Israel".

“Given the gravity of the situation in Gaza, the degree of public and parliamentary interest, and the risks to the credibility of the UK’s export controls regime, there is a compelling case to publish the government’s legal advice,” Lammy wrote in a letter to Cameron, adding that licenses for arms exports should not be granted if “there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law."

Conducting regular business 'totally unacceptable'

Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy has consequently been asking for legal advice on "Israel's" breach of international humanitarian law, which would normally compel the UK to suspend military sales to the occupation.

The letter, coordinated by Labour MP Zarah Sultana, was signed by 107 members of Parliament, and 27 additional peers. A total of 46 Labour MPs and almost the entirety of the SNP parliamentary party echoed the call.

In detail, the letter calls conducting regular business with "Israel" in the arms sale sector "totally unacceptable", noting that homemade weapons are being utilized against Gazan civilians. Moreover, the letter highlighted how an F-16 fighter jet, manufactured with UK-made auto parts, was responsible for the targeting and bombing of British doctors operating in Gaza.

Moreover, the address noted precedents of the UK suspending arms sales to "Israel" during previous wars in Gaza but questioned the government's decision to maintain them amid a far more brutal genocide.

Legal judgment needed

Cameron, on his part, has been increasingly criticizing "Israel's" policies, but cannot alone make the move to stop arms sales to the occupation. The Guardian reported the process, which entails "complex legal judgment" that simultaneously considers the occupation's "effort to minimize civilian casualties."

In this context, it is vital to note that "Israel" committed eight massacres on Tuesday, killing 81 and injuring 93. This brings the total number of Palestinians killed in the Israeli aggression on Gaza since October 7 to 32,414, in addition to 74,787 injured.

Katie Fallon, the advocacy manager at Campaign Against the Arms Trade, asserted that the government's reaction to a prohibition on arms sales had "ranged from stonewalling MPs, repeating meaningless answers, and most concerningly, going to great lengths to ensure that legal advice from the Foreign Office never definitively admits there is a 'clear risk' Israel might use these arms exports in a serious violation of international humanitarian law."

This comes at a time when governments like Canada, and human rights organizations such as Oxfam, Save the Children, Amnesty, Christian Aid, and Islamic Relief have all collectively urged for the end of military sales to "Israel".

While Canada is not a major arms supplier to "Israel" compared to other countries, the concern is that this move could lead to a larger trend among Western nations who might follow suit, creating a domino effect of countries halting arms sales to the entity, the Israeli Globes website reported.