A ceasefire is essential now urges Biden
US President Joe Biden demanded an ‘immediate ceasefire’ in Gaza as David Cameron pledged to ‘hold Israel to account’ for the killing of three British ex-servicemen in Gaza.
In a tense call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr Biden said a cessation was now ‘essential’ and American support was conditional on new steps to protect aid workers and civilians. Mr Biden’s remarks go further than the British Government, which has sought an ‘immediate pause’ in fighting to create the conditions for a ‘sustainable ceasefire’.
In an interview with the Mail, Lord Cameron would not be drawn on growing demands to suspend arms sales to Israel in the wake of the atrocity.
He rejected claims the British government is downplaying the incident to avoid upsetting Israel. The Foreign Secretary described this week’s triple drone strike on the World Central Kitchen convoy as ‘appalling’ and paid tribute to the seven aid workers killed.
The brother of aid worker Jim Henderson, one of the three British victims, yesterday said it was ‘hard to comprehend’ the Government’s response.
In a statement to The Times on behalf of the family, he said: ‘Accountability is the only hope of justice I have... I don’t believe our Government will hold the correct people to account, but I guarantee our Government will sell weapons to Israel, which may... be used to kill our fellow citizens.’
Lord Cameron told the Mail Mr Netanyahu and other senior ministers ‘know how serious this issue is and how they have got to get to the bottom of it and frankly make sure it never happens again’.
Responding to Mr Henderson’s comments, he added: ‘We will hold Israel to account. That is what the transparent full inquiry is all about.
‘When these things happen even on a battlefield ... they have consequences’. But he declined to say if the UK is confident Israel is acting within international law – or if arms sales might be suspended.
Yesterday, Israel placed its embassies around the world on maximum alert and cancelled all military leave after Iran vowed to respond to an IDF airstrike on its consulate which killed a senior general.
Downing Street yesterday denied reports that Rishi Sunak told Mr Netanyahu Britain ‘ will be forced to declare Israel a violator of international humanitarian law’ unless it allows more aid in to feed Gaza’s population.
But No 10 did not dispute a leaked account from Israel’s Channel 13 that the PM told Mr Netanyahu: ‘Britain supports the elimination of Hamas – but not at the cost of a humanitarian catastrophe... This is not good for us – and it is not good for you.’
Since 2008, the UK has licensed arms worth more than £574 million to Israel. Department for Business and Trade officials involved in the sales have called in their union over fears they could be held liable if Israel is seen to have broken international law.
Ex Cabinet Minister David Jones confirmed colleagues were organising a letter urging Lord Cameron to investigate whether Israel had broken international law.
‘Will hold Israel to account’