The Israeli government received backlash from Britain as it suspended 30 arms export licenses out of 250 to Israel. This decision, delayed after parliament’s recess, was met with criticism by pro-Palestinian groups.
Oxfam’s CEO, Halima Begum, highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting over 1,100 Gaza deaths during the recess. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the move, asserting Israel’s strength against Hamas with or without British arms. The suspension stirred controversy in Israel, with Foreign Minister Israel Katz calling it problematic.
Chris Doyle from the Council for the Advancement of Arab-British Understanding warned of strained UK-Israel relations. The US, informed before the decision, expressed no hostility. Labour faced backlash for the suspension from supporters of Israel.
While some MP’s praised the move, others criticized its limited scope. Oxfam criticized the suspension as ‘window dressing’, leaving loopholes for continued arms orders. Human Rights advocates plan legal challenges against export loopholes.
The debate continues, with concerns over F-35 jets used in Israel’s bombing campaigns, and the impact on UK security and global alliances.
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