UK's parliament members call for ban on arms sales to Israel

Over 130 members of the U.K. Parliament, led by Labor MP Zarah Sultana, have issued a strong call to the British government to stop arms sales to Israel.

This demand comes against the backdrop of increased violence in Gaza and Israel's apparent disregard for a U.N. cease-fire resolution.

In their letter to Foreign Secretary David Cameron, 107 MPs and 27 peers, including former Labour Middle East Minister Peter Hain and SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, stressed the situation's urgency.

The letter draws attention to similar actions by other nations, notably Canada's recent halt of arms exports to Israel.

The parliamentarians assert in their letter, "U.K.-made arms are being used in Gaza."

They reference a U.N. report that implicates a U.K.-part-manufactured F-16 fighter jet in the bombing of British doctors in Gaza.

"The scale of violence committed by the Israeli military is vastly more deadly, but the U.K. government has failed to act," the letter's claim further reinforces this stance.

Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy has joined the call, pressing the government to release legal advice concerning potential violations of international humanitarian law by Israel.

These concerns align with David Cameron's growing criticism of Israel’s actions and his suggestions of non-compliance with international duties by Israel as the occupying power.

Human rights organizations such as Oxfam, Save the Children, and Amnesty International have also advocated for suspending arms licenses to Israel.

Campaign Against the Arms Trade's advocacy manager, Katie Fallon, criticized the government's handling of the issue, saying they are "repeating meaningless answers" and avoiding a clear stance on the legal risks of arms exports to Israel.

In a related legal development, a request for judicial review challenges the U.K.'s suspension of funding to UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees.

The case was brought forward by Bindman's law firm, which aims to scrutinize the decision's logic and its adherence to international obligations.

Source: Newsroom