Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday (3) that the British government had made a “shameful decision” by suspending some arms export licenses to Israel.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on Monday that the government had suspended 30 of 350 arms export licences with Israel due to the risk that the equipment could be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The decision, which came a day after Israeli forces recovered the bodies of six hostages from a Gaza tunnel, was quickly denounced by several Israeli ministers.
“This shameful decision will not change Israel’s determination to defeat Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organization that savagely murdered 1,200 people on October 7, including 14 British citizens,” Netanyahu said in a social media post.
“Hamas is still holding more than 100 hostages, including five British citizens. Rather than standing with Israel, another democracy defending itself against barbarism, the UK’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 an election in July, Lammy said he would update a review of arms sales to ally Israel to ensure they complied with international law.
British exports account for less than 1% of the total arms Israel receives, and the minister said the suspension would not have a material impact on Israel’s security and that the UK would continue to support its right to self-defence.
This content was originally published in Netanyahu says it is “shameful” that the United Kingdom suspends arms exports on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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