CAMPAIGNERS welcomed Labour’s decision to finally drop a legal objection to an arrest warrant for war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu today.
But pressure continued to mount for a full arms embargo, as rumours circulate that Labour is considering arms restrictions on Israel.
In May, the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan requested arrest warrants for the Israeli Prime Minister and his Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over war crimes in Gaza.
The Tory government at the time said it intended to challenge whether the ICC had the right to order the arrest of Israeli nationals.
More than 40 MPs backed a motion by MPs Richard Burgon and Imran Hussain calling on the government to drop the proposals.
Today, on the deadline set by the court for Britain to submit its objection, the new Labour government confirmed that it would abandon the plans.
A spokeswoman for No 10 said the government will not be pursuing the challenge “in line with our long-standing position that this is a matter for the court to decide on.”
She added that the government feels “very strongly” about the separation of powers and the rule of law domestically and internationally.
Palestine Solidarity Campaign director Ben Jamal welcomed the decision and the government’s statement that it intends to respect the international courts and the rule of law.
He said this “needs to translate into full support for the rulings of the ICC and the International Court of Justice, including those which call upon all third-party states not to continue to act in any way which risks aiding or abetting crimes under the Genocide Convention or supporting Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territory.
“As immediate first steps, this requires an arms embargo and ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements.”
This was echoed by CND general secretary Kate Hudson, who said: “Now Starmer needs to go further: to impose a full arms embargo on Israel, to recognise the Palestinian state, and to work tirelessly to end the genocide.
“Pressure is growing on the government to act, and we urge everyone to join us in London on August 3 to add weight to these demands.”
A spokesperson for Stop the War Coalition said it was a “disgrace” that the Labour leadership even considered continuing the Tories’ challenge, but the decision to drop it was “another victory for the Palestine movement.”
They said that the move shows that protests do work, “contrary to the PM’s insulting dismissal at PMQs,” a reference to Sir Keir Starmer’s implication that “street corner” protests will not deliver change.
Reports also surfaced today that Labour is expected to introduce restrictions on arms to Israel.
Middle East Eye reported that “well-informed” Labour sources had said that it was likely some arms restrictions will be announced in the next days, but a complete suspension of arms is not expected.
Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana wrote on X that any suspension must apply to all arms, warning against “half-measures.”
Foreign Secretary David Lammy has been under pressure to publish legal advice on continuing the exports and ambiguously said he hopes to make his views known “with full accountability and transparency” when asked about it last week.
Britain is legally obligated to halt arms supply if there is a clear risk exports might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
Britain has issued 108 arms export licences to Israel between October and May, official government figures show.
More than 39,000 Palestinians have been murdered by Israel’s ground and air campaign in Gaza since October 7.
