Rishi Sunak fears that the Government’s suspension of certain arms exports to Israel may damage Britain’s relationship with the US.
The UK, in a break with Washington, has ended around 30 out of 350 export licences because of concerns the weapons could be used in violations of international humanitarian law in the Gaza conflict.
Sir Keir Starmer claimed yesterday that Britain’s allies ‘understand’ the move and insisted it was a ‘legal not a policy decision’.
But former prime minister Mr Sunak warned that it was important for nations to stand together ‘in the face of terrorist threats’.
Rishi Sunak warned that it was important for nations to stand together ‘in the face of terrorist threats’
Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in the West Bank. The UK, in a break with Washington, has ended around 30 out of 350 export licences because of concerns the weapons
A major diplomatic row has unfolded over Labour’s decision – with Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling it ‘shameful’.
Sir Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, stated that the move ‘beggars belief’ at a time when ‘six hostages murdered in cold blood by cruel terrorists were being buried by their families’.
And another former PM Boris Johnson questioned whether Labour was ‘abandoning Israel’.
During Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday, Mr Sunak said: ‘It is essential that we maintain transatlantic unity in the face of terrorist threats and avoid any perception of splits between our two nations.’
The Tory leader then asked Sir Keir: ‘So can he, therefore, update the House or tell the House, what engagement he had with the United States prior to taking this significant decision?’
Sir Keir said he had ‘talked this through with our allies, they understand, they have a different legal system, that is the point they have made’.
But Mr Sunak said the decision has ’emotional’ consequences and also noted Sir Keir’s action was taken on the same day as the funerals of Israeli hostages murdered by Hamas. He added: ‘I hope the Prime Minister understands the hurt that has been caused and can he take this opportunity to reassure Israel and the Jewish community that the United Kingdom and this House stands behind Israel and its right to self-defence?’
Sir Keir said he would ‘continue to stand by Israel’s right to self-defence’ and he insisted that it ‘isn’t an Israel issue, it’s the framework for all licences that have to be kept under review, it’s the same test for all licences’.
The exchange came after the US refused to follow the UK in suspending arms sales.
US President Joe Biden. The exchange came after the US refused to follow the UK in suspending arms sales
Sir Keir Starmer claimed yesterday that Britain’s allies ‘understand’ the move and insisted it was a ‘legal not a policy decision’
According to one report, the US had privately warned Britain against the decision amid concerns it could damage attempts to broker a ceasefire.
One minister also allegedly described the move as an attempt to ‘please all sides’ that ended up ‘p****** everyone off’.
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby has said: ‘We’ll let other nations decide for themselves if they’re going to support Israel and to what degree.’
The US state department spokesman Matthew Miller added to that on Tuesday, saying: ‘It’s not that we disagree with the UK position, it’s that the UK makes an assessment based on their legal framework.
‘We make an assessment based on our own legal frameworks.’
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