British Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis expressed deep concern to Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding the government’s apparent new tougher stance on Israel. In an unexpected move, Mirvis requested a meeting with the prime minister after the government dropped its challenge to the pursuit of an international arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu by the ICC chief prosecutor. The government also ended the suspension of funding for the main Palestinian relief agency, UNWRA.
Speculation suggests the Labour government may announce a partial ban on arms sales to Israel soon. The Chief Rabbi’s letter to Starmer highlighted the concerns about these policy shifts, as they could potentially strain UK-Israel relations. There are worries within the Jewish community about the government’s stance on Israel.
Mirvis maintains positive relations with Starmer, unlike with former leader Jeremy Corbyn. The two discussed important issues during their recent meeting. Despite concerns about a possible arms sale ban, Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized the need for a thoughtful approach to offensive weapons in Gaza.
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