UK will continue allowing arms exports to Israel, says David Cameron
| Published date | 09 April 2024 |
| Publication title | MyLondon (England) |
Speaking at a press conference in Washington DC, he said: "This is consistent with the advice that I and other ministers have received, and as ever we will keep the position under review."
But, he added, the UK continued to have "grave concerns" about humanitarian access to Gaza, saying Israeli promises to "flood Gaza with aid ... now need to be turned into reality".
The Government has faced increasing pressure to suspend licences for arms exports to Israel following the deaths of three British nationals in an air strike that killed seven people working for the humanitarian group World Central Kitchen.
Lord Cameron said continuing to allow arms exports put the UK in line with other "like-minded countries" and reiterated that the UK had a "robust legal process" for assessing those licences.
He added that the Government would not publish or comment on legal advice, but would "act in a way that is consistent with it".
Lord Cameron said: "We are a Government under the law and that's as it should be."
Aid organisation Care International UK said the Foreign Secretary's statement appeared to contradict the precedent set in 2014 when the Government said it would suspend some licences as a "precautionary step" if it could not "clarify if the export licence criteria are being met".
Care's head of advocacy and policy, Dorothy Sang, said: "The Government's criteria for arms exports are clear that licences should not be granted where there is a clear risk that the items might be used in violation of international humanitarian law."
"Gaza is experiencing a manmade humanitarian crisis. Over 33,000 Palestinians and 200 aid workers have been killed during this conflict. Famine is imminent if not already present in the north of Gaza.
"The UK Government must now follow its own advice and suspend arms export licenses to Israel."
Other humanitarian organisations have also criticised the decision.
Amnesty International said the announcement was "sadly predictable" and a "missed opportunity", while ActionAid said "alarmed" and urged the Foreign Secretary to publish the legal advice he had received.
The debate over whether to suspend arms export licences sparked rumours of a Cabinet split, with Lord Cameron appearing more strident in his criticism of Tel Aviv than some of his colleagues, including Deputy Prime Minister Oliver...
To continue reading
Request your trial