THE SNP have demanded the release of evidence that led to the Labour Government suspending just 30 out of 350 arms export licenses to Israel.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy outlined the move in the House of Commons today (Monday) amid concerns a “clear risk” exists that the arms could be used to breach international humanitarian law.
He added that a review conducted by the UK Government could not “arbitrate on whether or not Israel has breached international humanitarian law” in Gaza, but ministers have a legal duty to review export licences.
But Stephen Flynn has now called for all evidence and legal advice presented to Lammy to be published.
"Today's UK Labour Government announcement is the very definition of too little, too late,” the SNP Westminster leader said.
“Suspending just 30 out of 350 – less than 10% – of UK arms licenses to Israel is far too limited a response to the scale of the crimes against humanity, which are unfolding before the watching world.
"The UK Labour Government must now immediately publish the legal advice, and all assessments, as to why 320 weapons and components continue being sent to the Israeli government - when they continue to commit horrors on the civilian population of Gaza.”
He added that if the UK Government is continuing to give the green light for 90% of arms licenses to Israel, the public “deserve to know on what legal basis those decisions are being made”.
Flynn then asked: “Why has it taken so long for even this smallest of action to happen and how many lives have been lost due to continued inaction?
"We reiterate our calls for an immediate and total ban on all arms exports to Israel from the UK and demanding that the UK government call on their allies to do the exact same.
"Each day the situation in Gaza gets worse and more innocent lives are lost. There must be an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and an urgent path found to increase humanitarian aid in order to secure a permanent peace.”
UK government statistics, compiled by Campaign Against Arms Trade, indicate that in the last 10 years, the UK has licensed at least £500 million worth of arms to Israel.
The Scottish Greens external affairs spokesperson and co-leader, Patrick Harvie, called for a full arms embargo.
“This announcement is long overdue, and in itself does not go far enough. But if it becomes a precedent for further action, it will be welcome," he said.
“It must lead to permanent change. These sales should not just be suspended, they should be revoked with an assurance that they will not be renewed.
“With the implicit acceptance that the UK has been arming a military that is inflicting human rights abuses and war crimes, this must surely lead to a full arms embargo and pressure for much wider international sanctions.“
