Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a news conference in Jerusalem, Sept. 2, 2024. Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg/Pool via REUTERS
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that the British government made a “shameful decision” when it suspended some arms export licenses to Israel, arguing the move will strengthen the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas.
Britain’s foreign minister David Lammy said on Monday that the government had suspended 30 of 350 arms export licenses with Israel due to a risk 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 tunnel in Hamas-ruled Gaza, was quickly denounced by a number of 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 over 100 hostages, including 5 British citizens. Instead of standing with Israel, a fellow democracy defending itself against barbarism, Britain’s misguided decision will only embolden Hamas,” Netanyahu said.
“With or without British arms, Israel will win this war and secure our common future.”
Britain’s chief rabbi also criticized the government’s decision to halt several arms export licenses to the Jewish state.
“It beggars belief that the British government, a close strategic ally of Israel, has announced a partial suspension of arms licences,” Ephraim Mirvis said on X/Twitter.
He said the move would bolster unfounded claims that Israel was in breach of international humanitarian law.
“Sadly, this announcement will serve to encourage our shared enemies,” Mirvis said. “It will not help to secure the release of the remaining 101 hostages, nor contribute to the peaceful future we wish and pray for, for all people in the region and beyond.”
Soon after Britain’s Labour Party won an election in July, Lammy said he would update a review on arms sales to ally Israel to ensure these complied with international law.
British exports amount to less than 1 percent of the total arms Israel receives, and the minister said the suspension would not have a material impact on Israel‘s security and Britain continued to support its right to self-defense.
Israel responded to Hamas’s Oct. 7 massacre across southern Israel by launching a military campaign in neighboring Gaza aimed at freeing the hostages kidnapped during the onslaught and dismantling the terrorist group’s military and governing capabilities. Hamas leaders have pledged to carry out attacks on Israel similar to the Oct. 7 invasion “again and again.”
Lammy said Monday’s decision was not a judgment on whether Israel had breached international law or not. Israel has dismissed allegations of war crimes, arguing Hamas is responsible for Palestinian casualties in Gaza.
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