Government urged to reveal Israel legal advice

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron is under pressure to publish the legal advice he has received on Israel’s actions in Gaza following claims UK Government lawyers believe it has broken humanitarian law.

Commons Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman Alicia Kearns said she was convinced the Government had concluded that Israel was not demonstrating a commitment to international humanitarian law, but had refused to confirm that publicly.

Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy urged Lord Cameron and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to come clean about the advice they had been given.

The Foreign Office said advice on Israel's compliance with international law was kept under review, but it would remain confidential. Israel has come under intense international scrutiny over its treatment of Palestinians during the war against Hamas following the 7 October atrocities.

A leaked recording of Ms Kearns disclosed that she believes the Government has received advice that Israel is flouting the law.

Answering questions at awest Hampstead and Fortune Green Conservatives event on 13 March, she said: “The Foreign Office has received official legal advice that Israel has broken international humanitarian law but the Government has not announcedit.theyhavenot said it, they haven't stopped arms exports.”

Arms export licences cannot be granted if there is a clear risk the weapons could be used in a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We keep advice on Israel's adherence to international humanitarian law under review and ministers act in accordance with that advice, for example when considering export licences. The content of the Government's advice is confidential.”