LEFT MPs say that all military sales to Israel must be banned, following the government blocking 30 of its 350 arms export licences.
The MPs said that Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s announcement today did not go far enough.
Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana, a leading campaigner on the issue, said: “Yesterday it was confirmed an Israeli F-35 fighter jet – made in part in Britain – was instrumental in a recent attack on a ‘safe zone’ in Gaza, killing 90 people.
“Hours later the UK government refused to suspend licences pertaining to F-35s. All arms sales to Israel must end.”
Apsana Begum, like Ms Sultana suspended from the Labour whip, accused Israel of war crimes and asked Mr Lammy in the Commons if the government will “suspend all arms sales to Israel?”
And Imran Hussein said: “When violations include killing aid workers and attacking ambulances, bombing refugee camps, and destroying civilian infrastructure, the UK needs to follow countries like Canada with a full suspension, not a partial one.”
The newly formed Independent Alliance of progressive MPs also called for stronger action.
Their statement said: “The government has finally admitted there is a clear risk of weapons being used to commit violations of international law.
“It is beyond shameful that it took the lives of more than 40,000 Palestinians for this admission to be made public.
“We will continue to call for a total arms embargo, an end to the illegal occupation and settlement policy, and the immediate and unconditional recognition of the state of Palestine.”
Other left MPs, including those who have also lost the Labour whip, were somewhat more positive about Mr Lammy’s move, but still urged the government to go further.
John McDonnell said: “A significant step forward and congratulations to all who have campaigned for an end to arms sales to Israel.
“However this is a first step and we now need to examine the detail of the remaining licences to bring about a total end to arms sales to a country committing war crimes.”
And Richard Burgon commented: “The UK public wants an end to arms sales to Israel.
“Arms licences must end if there’s a risk of violating international law. More action is needed but this is a welcome first step.”
He said he would be working with colleagues “to ensure an end to all licences for military components used in Israel's war on Gaza and to press for further government action to put an end to Israel’s war crimes and breaches of international law.”
The move was met with outrage from Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu, who said “this shameful decision will not change Israel’s determination.”
He was echoed by Israel’s supporters, including former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who claimed that the government wanted Hamas to “win,” and the Board of Deputies of British Jews, which pledged to work to reverse the decision.
But the Muslim Council of Britain warned that the pro-Israel backlash was fuelling Islamophobia.
General secretary Zara Mohammed said: “The government’s recent decision to restrict arms sales to Israel is a small but important step to ensure adherence to international law.
“Many will still be left worried about the vast armoury our government are still supplying to Israel’s killing machine.
“We are also troubled to see how politicians seeking leadership and far-right commentators are weaponising this decision once more to foment further hatred against Muslims.”
Clearly referencing comments made by Tory leadership contender Kemi Badenoch, Ms Mohammed added: “To conflate democratically elected MPs campaigning on the widespread concerns of Gaza to Islamist and sectarian politics, reminds us of the politics of hate and Islamophobia the former government used to score political points at the expense of Muslim communities.”
