UK restricts sales of arms to Israel
Britain will immediately suspend 30 of its 350 arms export licences with Israel.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the decision to suspend the licences was based on a “clear risk” such equipment might be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The suspension only involved licenses that could be used in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
“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,” Lammy told parliament.
Chief rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said on social media that the move “beggars belief” and “feeds the falsehood that Israel is in breach of International Humanitarian Law”.
Western governments have facing growing pressure to stop arms sales to Israel given its methods of war in the Gaza Strip.
Unless otherwise linked, headlines are front pages on September 3 2024.
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i newspaper
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