In an open letter to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, over 600 British jurists are calling for the government to suspend arms sales to Israel, citing concerns over potential complicity in violations of international law. The deaths of three British aid workers in an Israeli airstrike have added to the pressure, with the International Court of Justice warning of a “plausible risk of genocide” in Gaza. Former Supreme Court President Brenda Hale is among the signatories who believe that the UK’s weapons exports to Israel fall short of its legal obligations under international law. The mounting civilian death toll in Gaza has strained UK-Israel relations, with opposition parties and senior Conservative figures joining the call for an arms export ban.
Despite being a staunch ally of Israel, the UK government is facing increased scrutiny over its arms sales following the deaths of the aid workers. While Israel has claimed the attack was a mistake due to misidentification, calls for a cessation of arms exports have grown stronger. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps disclosed that military exports to Israel amounted to 42 million pounds in 2022, a relatively small amount. Pressure is mounting on the UK government to take action, with other countries like Spain, Canada, and the Netherlands already halting weapons sales to Israel.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of Spain announced the suspension of weapon sales to Israel and called on other nations to follow suit. The Netherlands was ordered by a court to stop the export of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel, with the government planning to appeal. However, major arms suppliers like the United States and Germany have continued their weapons sales to Israel. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has expressed unease over the conflict, questioning the justification for the high costs in terms of human casualties. The suspension of arms sales by the UK could potentially influence other countries to reevaluate their positions on the issue.
There is a growing consensus among legal experts, politicians, and activists that halting arms sales to Israel would send a strong political message and could potentially lead to broader discussions on the conflict. While it may not have an immediate impact on the war in Gaza, the move could spark dialogue and debate, especially in the United States. Memories of the Holocaust have made Germany tread carefully when criticizing Israel, but Chancellor Scholz’s increasing discomfort with the situation signifies a shift in attitudes. Former UK national security advisor Peter Ricketts believes that suspending arms sales could have a ripple effect, prompting other countries to reconsider their involvement in the conflict.
The UK government’s position on arms sales to Israel remains uncertain, with Prime Minister Sunak neither committing to a ban nor ruling it out. While acknowledging Israel’s right to self-defense, he emphasized the importance of adhering to international humanitarian law. Pressure on the government is likely to persist, with opposition parties, senior Conservatives, and legal experts continuing to advocate for a halt in weapons exports. The deaths of the aid workers have brought renewed attention to the conflict in Gaza and the role of arms sales in perpetuating violence. The UK’s response to these calls for action could have significant implications for its relationship with Israel and its standing in the international community.
