'Difficult but a legal decision': UK's Keir Starmer defends Israel arms suspension move

Sept. 4, 2024, 1:27 p.m.

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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended Wednesday his government’s partial suspension of arms exports to Israel over fears they could be used in a breach of humanitarian law as “a legal decision”.

Starmer said that Monday’s announcement to suspend 30 of 350 arms exports licences did not signify a change in UK support for Israel’s right to self-defence.

He also said that allies “understand” the UK’s move.

“This is a difficult issue, I recognise that, but it’s a legal decision, not a policy decision,” Starmer told lawmakers during the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions session in parliament.

Advertisement He said the decision was taken following a review by the foreign ministry into Israel’s conduct of its war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

The review was begun shortly after Starmer’s centre-left Labour party swept to power in a landslide general election victory over the Conservatives in early July.

“We will of course stand by Israel’s right to self-defence but it’s important that we are committed to the international rule of law,” Starmer said.

This partial restriction encompasses items potentially usable in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, including fighter jets, helicopters, and drones. However, it does not include parts for advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets.

The decision has angered Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slamming it as “shameful”.

Starmer also refuted any suggestion that this action signifies a rift with the United States.

On Monday, John Kirby, spokesperson for the US National Security Council, stated that London had notified Washington of its decision prior to the public announcement.

“We’ll let other nations decide for themselves if they’re going to support Israel and to what degree,” Kirby told reporters. “That’s what sovereignty is all about.”

He added that for its part there had been “no determination” by the United States that Israel had violated humanitarian law.

In London, Starmer told MPs: “We have talked this through with our allies, they understand, they have a different legal system, that is the point they have made.”

Advertisement Starmer’s government is pursuing a more nuanced approach to the Middle East conflict than his predecessor Rishi Sunak’s Tory administration.

Similarly, the organization has repeatedly called for a ceasefire and the acceleration of aid deliveries to Gaza. They have also demanded the immediate release of all hostages taken during the October 7th attacks.

However, the US has also resumed financial support for the UN agency dedicated to aiding Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) and dropped its legal challenge against international arrest warrants issued for prominent Israeli officials, including Netanyahu.