Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday (Sept 3) reacted to the United Kingdom’s (UK) decision to suspend some arms sales to his country. In a post on social media platform X, Prime Minister Netanyahu said that the UK’s decision was shameful.
“Instead of standing with Israel, a fellow democracy defending itself against barbarism, Britain’s misguided decision will only embolden Hamas,” Netanyahu said.
“This shameful decision will not change Israel’s determination to defeat Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organization that savagely murdered 1200 people on October 7, including 14 British citizens,” he added.
The Israeli PM pointed out that with or without British Arms, Israel would win this war.
UK suspends 30 of its 350 arms export licences to Israel
A day earlier, British Foreign Minister David Lammy announced that London would immediately suspend 30 of its 350 arms export licences with Israel because there was a risk such equipment might be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law.
Foreign Minister Lamy said that his government’s decision did not amount to a blanket ban or an arms embargo, but only involved those that could be used in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
“We recognise, of course, Israel’s need to defend itself against security threats, but we are deeply worried by the methods that Israel’s employed, and by reports of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure particularly,” he told Parliament.
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“It is with regret that I inform the House (of Commons, 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,” he added.
‘Suspension won’t have material impact on Israel’s security’
British exports amount to less than 1% of the total arms Israel receives, and Lammy told Parliament on Monday that the suspension would not have a material impact on Israel’s security, and Britain continued to support its right to self-defence.
He also pointed out that the decision was not a judgment on whether Israel had breached international law or not.
Among the items included under the arms export suspension will be components for military aircraft including fighter jets, helicopters and drones.
(With inputs from agencies)