Prime Minister Netanyahu during a press conference on September 2 (video snippet)

Netanyahu Slams UK for Suspending Arms Exports

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The Judean Staff
National

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vociferously condemned the United Kingdom’s decision to suspend several export licenses for military equipment destined for Israel. Netanyahu branded the UK's decision as nothing short of “shameful,” calling into question the timing and motivation behind it.

The UK, under the pretext of upholding international humanitarian law, blocked approximately 30 export licenses for military items, including crucial components for Israel's advanced military aircraft. This decision comes amidst Israel’s intense military operations in Gaza, launched in response to the brutal and unprovoked attack by Hamas on October 7, which resulted in the massacre of 1,200 Israelis, including 14 British nationals.

Netanyahu, never one to mince words, took to social media to express his outrage. “Days after Hamas executed six Israeli hostages, the UK government suspended thirty arms licenses to Israel,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). He continued, “This shameful decision will not alter Israel’s unwavering resolve to crush Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organization that savagely murdered 1,200 people on October 7.”

The Prime Minister’s fierce condemnation was echoed by the UK’s Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, who also expressed his deep disappointment in the UK government’s actions. “It beggars belief that the British government, a close strategic ally of Israel, has announced a partial suspension of arms licenses, at a time when Israel is fighting a war for its very survival on seven fronts,” Mirvis stated emphatically. He further criticized UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, asserting that his decision “feeds the falsehood that Israel is in breach of international humanitarian law, when in reality, it is going to extraordinary lengths to uphold it.”

In an attempt to defend the decision, Lammy addressed the House of Commons, expressing his "regret" but insisted there was a “clear risk” that some of the exported items could be used in serious violations of international humanitarian law. This justification, however, rings hollow to many, particularly given the ongoing conflict where Israel is engaged in a life-and-death struggle against a ruthless enemy.

John Healey, the UK Defense Secretary, sought to downplay the impact of the suspension, assuring that it would not “have a material impact on Israel’s security” and reaffirming that Britain remains “a staunch ally” of Israel. He claimed that the move was not political but rather a legal obligation, yet this explanation has done little to soothe the outrage in Jerusalem and among Israel's supporters.

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson also weighed in, lambasting Lammy and current UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for what he perceived as a betrayal of Israel. “Why are Lammy and Starmer abandoning Israel? Do they want Hamas to win?” Johnson provocatively questioned, highlighting the absurdity of the UK’s position given the context of the ongoing conflict.

Despite the UK’s suspension, some human rights organizations and aid groups have argued that Britain has not gone far enough. These groups, known for their consistent anti-Israel stance, have called for an even broader suspension, including components for Israel’s F-35 fighter jets, which have been instrumental in the Gaza operations. Human Rights Watch and ActionAid UK criticized the UK’s partial measures, accusing the government of either misunderstanding international law or willfully disregarding it.

On the other side, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant expressed his profound dismay over the UK’s decision, emphasizing the gravity of the situation Israel faces. “This comes at a time when we fight a war on seven different fronts: a war that was launched by a savage terrorist organization, unprovoked. At a time when we mourn six hostages who were executed in cold blood by Hamas inside tunnels in Gaza. At a time when we fight to bring 101 hostages home,” Gallant passionately declared.

The backdrop to this controversy is Israel’s ongoing military operation in Gaza, which was initiated following the heinous attack by Hamas. This brutal assault not only killed 1,200 Israelis but also saw 250 others taken hostage, an atrocity that continues to shake the nation. While Israel's military response has been forceful, resulting in significant casualties in Gaza, it has also drawn international criticism, particularly concerning the humanitarian impact on the civilian population.

The UK’s suspension of these export licenses, though limited in scope, represents a significant diplomatic setback, reflecting the growing tension between Jerusalem and one of its key allies. As the conflict rages on, the suspension serves as a stark reminder of the complex and often fraught nature of international relations in times of war, where legal considerations and humanitarian concerns often clash with the harsh realities of survival and national security.

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