More than 600 British jurists, including three retired judges from the U.K. Supreme Court, have urged the government to suspend arms sales to Israel following the deaths of three U.K. aid workers in an Israeli strike. The call for action is intensifying pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In an open letter to Sunak, the legal experts highlighted concerns that the U.K. could be complicit in 'grave breaches of international law' by continuing to supply weapons to Israel. They referenced the International Court of Justice's warning of a 'plausible risk of genocide' in Gaza, emphasizing the legal obligations under international law that the U.K. must uphold.
The letter emphasized that the current arms sales to Israel do not align with the U.K. government's responsibilities under international law. The mounting civilian casualties in Gaza have strained relations between Britain and Israel, prompting calls for a halt in weapons exports.
The recent Israeli airstrike that resulted in the deaths of seven aid workers, including three British nationals, has further fueled demands for action. While Israel has claimed the attack was a mistake due to misidentification, opposition parties in the U.K. are advocating for a suspension of arms sales if international law violations are confirmed.
Despite the pressure, Sunak has not committed to a ban on arms exports to Israel. He reiterated the importance of Israel's right to self-defense but stressed the need for compliance with international humanitarian law.
British defense firms have relatively limited arms sales to Israel, with exports totaling 42 million pounds in 2022. The issue of arms sales to Israel is not unique to the U.K., as other allies are also facing calls to cease weapon supplies and push for a cease-fire in the conflict.
Spain recently announced a halt in arms sales to Israel, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urging other nations to follow suit. Canada and the Netherlands have also taken steps to restrict future weapon shipments to Israel, while major suppliers like the United States and Germany continue to allow arms sales.
Former U.K. national security advisor Peter Ricketts noted that suspending arms sales may not alter the course of the conflict but could send a strong political message. The move could also spark discussions in the U.S., potentially influencing the dynamics of the conflict.
