Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that the British government had taken a “shameful decision” by suspending some arms export licences to Israel.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on Monday the government had suspended 30 of its 350 arms export licences to Israel because of the risk the equipment could be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The decision came a day after the Israeli military recovered the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in Gaza, prompting condemnation from several Israeli ministers.
“This shameful decision does not change Israel’s determination to defeat Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organisation that barbarously murdered 1,200 people, including 14 British citizens, on October 7,” Netanyahu said in a social media post.
“Hamas still holds more than 100 people hostage, including five British citizens. Instead of standing with Israel, a fellow democracy, and defending itself against barbarism, Britain’s misguided decision will only embolden Hamas,” Netanyahu said.
“With or without British weapons, Israel will win this war and secure our common future.”
Shortly after Britain’s Labour Party won the election in July, Lammy said he would update a review into arms sales to ally Israel to ensure they were in line with international law.
British exports represent less than 1% of total arms received by Israel, and the minister said the suspension would have no material impact on Israel’s security and that the UK would continue to support Israel’s right to self-defence.
Both Israeli and Palestinian leaders are being investigated for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the wake of attacks by Hamas in southern Israel on October 7. According to Israeli figures, 1,200 people were killed in these attacks.
According to Palestinian health officials, more than 40,700 people have been killed in Israeli action in Gaza.
Lamy said Monday’s ruling was not a judgment on whether Israel had violated international law. Israeli and Palestinian leaders have rejected allegations of war crimes.
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