Labour faces internal backlash over Foreign Secretary’s decision to restrict certain arms exports to Israel – with MPs warning the move could send the wrong message to Hamas and ‘adversely’ affect the safety of Israelis

Labour last night faced an internal backlash over David Lammy’s decision to restrict some arms exports to Israel.

The Government’s own Solicitor General Sarah Sackman and two other Labour MPs said the Foreign Secretary’s move could send the wrong message to Hamas while ‘adversely affecting the security and safety’ of Israelis.

Mrs Sackman and fellow North London MPs Dan Tomlinson and David Pinto-Duschinsky also said many of their constituents were ‘upset and angry’ that the announcement came during the funeral of one of the October 7 hostages, Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

The letter from the three MPs represents the first instance of Labour politicians publicly questioning Mr Lammy’s decision on Monday to suspend 30 out of 350 arms export licences to Israel.

The trio wrote: ‘Many constituents are upset and angry about the timing of the announcement… Secondly, our constituents have raised questions about the message that the decision sends to Israel’s enemies… While the decision may have been intended to de-escalate the conflict, there is great concern that it may inadvertently have the opposite effect and adversely affect the security and safety of Israel.’

The Government’s own Solicitor General Sarah Sackman and two other Labour MPs said the Foreign Secretary ‘s move could send the wrong message to Hamas 

Mrs Sackman told the Mail last night: ‘The letter speaks for itself. 

‘I fully support the government’s position and upholding international humanitarian law. 

‘This letter represents the views of some of my constituents.’

Sackman said that many of her constituents were ‘upset and angry’ that the announcement to suspend some arms licences came during the funeral of one of the October 7 hostages, Hersh Goldberg-Polin