UK’s Starmer defends Israel arms suspension as ‘legal decision’
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has defended his government’s partial suspension of arms exports to Israel over fears they could be used in a breach of humanitarian law as “a legal decision”.
Starmer said that Monday’s announcement to suspend 30 of 350 arms exports licences did not signify a change in UK support for Israel’s right to self-defence. The partial ban covers items that could be used in the current Israeli war in Gaza including fighter aircraft, helicopters and drones but not parts for advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets.
“This is a difficult issue, I recognise that, but it’s a legal decision, not a policy decision,” Starmer told lawmakers during the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions session in Parliament.
He said the decision was taken following a review by the foreign ministry into Israel’s conduct of its war in the Gaza Strip. “We will of course stand by Israel’s right to self-defence, but it’s important that we are committed to the international rule of law,” Starmer said.
Committed to international rule of law??? What are you smoking Starmer. You're defending apartheid and genocide by Israel at the ICJ, blocking the ICC arrest warrants, ignoring the UNSC resolutions, ignoring the ICJ ruling on occupation and apartheid in the West Bank. In what fantasy land are you committed to the international rule of law. The UK has actively been assisting the genocide in Gaza with surveillance flights and intel, if not for weapons.
Family of British aid worker killed in Gaza calls for independent probe
The family of a British aid worker killed by an Israeli strike in Gaza in April has called for an independent investigation into his killing. James Kirby, from Bristol in southwest England, was one of seven people killed in a strike on a World Central Kitchen food convoy.
Former serviceman Kirby and two other Britons killed were part of the security team accompanying aid workers employed by the US-based charity.
Speaking on behalf of his family ahead of a memorial service for Kirby, his cousin Louise Kirby called for a “proper, independent inquiry into this attack on innocent aid workers”.
“Whilst we have had much support, we are still struggling to find answers and accountability for what happened,” she said in a statement.
Kirby said the family was “surprised” that they had not had any contact from Israel’s ambassador to the UK or any Israeli official. “Any family of a loved one who has been killed needs closure. We need to understand how this disaster could have happened,” she said.
“This is not just about us. This is about how Britain looks after its own citizens and their families, when a British citizen has been unlawfully killed by another state.”
