Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced in the House of Commons that the government has taken the decision that the UK will suspend arms export licences to Israel for use in military operations in Gaza, following a review of Israel’s compliance with international humanitarian law.
Sharren Haskel (@SharrenHaskel), a Member of the Knesset (Israeli parliament) of the National Right Party, has questioned where the British government's loyalties lie.
In a post to X Ms Haskel said:
What a shameful and insensitive betrayal by the British government as Israel and the Jewish community are still shocked and grieving at the brutal murder of six hostages by Hamas.
The hostages who were abducted on October 7 were executed by Hamas two days before their bodies were recovered by the IDF.
The British government has offered words of condolences for the dead hostages but On the other hand makes it harder for Israel to defend itself by suspending arms export licenses.
Whose side is the British government on, Israel or Hamas?
https://twitter.com/SharrenHaskel/status/1830710158042796107
Priti Patel, currently fighting to become the leader of the Conservative party, also took to X to make her feelings abundantly clear, saying:
Starmer's decision is appalling. To play politics with Israel's security on a day they bury their dead is as saddening as it is disgraceful.
This decision is purely for the purposes of internal Labour politics and is a total capitulation to his hard-left Labour MPs.
It’s clear that the Prime Minister doesn’t have the courage to stand up to our enemies, whether that’s Putin or Hamas. Just like on the deportation of foreign offenders, Sir Keir is more afraid by the militant left wingers in his own party than those who pose a direct threat to our national security.
This shocking betrayal of a key UK ally is a terrible indication of the UK’s approach to national security under this weak Prime Minister.
https://twitter.com/pritipatel/status/1830883581419262294
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson also took to X to question where the government's loyalties lie:
Hamas is still holding many innocent Jewish hostages while Israel tries to prevent a repeat of the 7th October massacre. Why are Lammy and Starmer abandoning Israel? Do they want Hamas to win?
https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1830848390952808572
