Newly Formed U.K. Government Announces Ban on Some Weapons to Israel in Diplomatic Policy Shift

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Under the newly formed United Kingdom government, led by Keir Starmer’s Labour Party, the UK has altered its policy toward Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza by prohibiting the export of certain weapons, announcing a ban on some arms export licenses to Israel.

On Monday, the U.K. government declared that it would ban 30 out of 350 arms export licenses to Israel due to the “clear risk” that certain weapons could be used in violation of international humanitarian law.

Although the U.K.’s decision to ban certain arms exports to Israel is largely symbolic given the small volume of arms it sends, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sharply criticized the U.K. government, labeling the action “shameful.”

“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,” Netanyahu said on X.

“Instead of standing with Israel, a fellow democracy defending itself against barbarism, Britain’s misguided decision will only embolden Hamas,” Netanyahu continued.

U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who identifies as a progressive Zionist, told Parliament that there was a risk weapons exported to Israel might be used in violation of humanitarian law. He explained that the decision to suspend 30 out of 350 licenses was not a blanket ban or an arms embargo but was specifically aimed at items that raised concerns about their use in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

“It is with regret that I inform the House (of Commons, the lower house of parliament) today the assessment I have received leaves me unable to conclude anything other than that for certain UK arms exports to Israel, there does exist a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law,” Lammy stated.

In response to the U.K. announcement, Britain’s Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis expressed concern on X saying the decision to suspend certain arms licenses “will serve to encourage our shared enemies.”

Critics have cautioned about the potential domino effect of the United Kingdom’s decision. Neve Gordon, a professor of human-rights law at Queen Mary University of London, told the Wall Street Journal, “When a country that is considered one of Israel’s major allies announces, ‘we can no longer sell you weapons,’ it signifies a shift in Israel’s international standing. This political shift could have a domino effect.”

The military affairs correspondent for Israel’s Channel 13 TV noted that this action could gain greater significance if other allies decide to follow the UK’s lead.

Since Keir Starmer’s government assumed power in Britain in July, it has abandoned the previous Conservative government’s plans to challenge the International Criminal Court’s authority to issue an arrest warrant for Netanyahu.

Following a brief pause, the U.K. also resumed its funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), despite Israel’s allegations that some of its staff were involved in terrorism. In August, the United Nations declared that nine UNRWA employees suspected of involvement in the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, were terminated from their positions.

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