UK ‘to cut off Israel arms supply’ unless it lets aid into Gaza
BRITAIN has warned Israel it will cut off arms supplies unless it lets aid into Gaza and sticks to international law.
Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, is ready to suspend the UK’S export licence to Israel if there is a change in his department’s legal advice on whether the country is complying with international humanitarian law.
He is understood to have told Israeli officials in recent talks that an “arms embargo” could be declared if Hamas prisoners held in Israeli jails are denied access to visits from the Red Cross.
The threat to withhold weapon sales was first reported by the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, citing Israeli officials.
A Whitehall source told The Telegraph: “We have clearly been having and continue to have conversations with the Israelis about international humanitarian law. We are constantly monitoring the situation.”
It follows reports last month that the British Government was considering withholding arms if Israel were to invade the Gazan city of Rafah.
Lord Cameron has now reportedly demanded that the International Committee of the Red Cross be allowed to visit Hamas prisoners in line with the Geneva Convention – but Israel claims an exemption to that law on security grounds. It came as the Foreign Secretary spoke of his “enormous frustration” that British aid has been “routinely held up” at the Gaza border while it undergoes screening and clearance procedures by Israeli officials. His language – a marked hardening in tone – came in a letter sent yesterday to Alicia Kearns MP, the foreign affairs select committee chairman.
He said: “You cite claims – that I have also heard elsewhere – that international donors should send as much aid as they wish and Israel will facilitate its entry. I wish this were the case.
“It is of enormous frustration that UK aid for Gaza has been routinely held up waiting for Israeli permissions. For instance, I am aware of some Uk-funded aid being stuck at the border for just under three weeks waiting for approval.
“The main blockers remain arbitrary denials by the government of Israel and lengthy clearance procedures, including multiple screenings and narrow opening windows and daylight hours.”
Last night, Downing Street said the UK Government still believes Israel is acting within international humanitarian law, despite the Foreign Secretary’s criticism about Hamas prisoner visits and the aid hold-ups.
A No 10 spokesman said: “Our assessment hasn’t changed. We do keep it under constant review and act in accordance with that advice.” They said the UK has a “close working relationship” with the Israeli government, adding: “That means that we are candid and frank in our conversations and in raising concerns where we have them.”
Earlier this month Israel Katz, Israel’s foreign minister, reportedly sent a letter to Lord Cameron asking Britain to rally around Israel and not undermine its position amid negotiations for a hostage release and ceasefire with Hamas.
He is said to have told Lord Cameron there is “no room” for steps such as restricting weapons supplies at such a crucial moment in the negotiations.
The Israeli prime minister’s office and the foreign ministry were not immediately available for comment.