The Foreign Secretary, David Lammy announced yesterday the government will be restricting arms sales to Israel. This follows concerns that weapons could be used in violation of international humanitarian law.
This is not a full arms embargo but the UK will stop 30 out of 350 export licenses.
This decision also reflects the views of the British public who have consistently supported ending arms sales to Israel. A YouGov poll at the end of July showed 55% for, to 13% opposed.
Commenting on the announcement , MCB Secretary-General, Zara Mohammed, said:
“The government’s recent decision to restrict arms sales to Israel is a small but important step to ensure adherence to international law. It comes at a time when the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 40,000, too many lives have been lost and injured due to Israeli bombardment.
The decision only affects UK sale of arms which amounts to 1% of Israel’s total arms sales. Many will still be left worried about the vast armoury our government are still supplying to Israel’s killing machine. We therefore need for full clarity on arms sales to a state that openly flouts international law.
We are also troubled to see how politicians seeking leadership and far right commentators are weaponising this decision once more to foment further hatred against Muslims.
“Appeasing Muslims” and “giving into an Islamist lobby” are just some of the Islamophobic tropes being used to vilify Muslim communities. To conflate democratically elected MPs campaigning on the widespread concerns of Gaza to Islamist and sectarian politics reminds us of the politics of hate and Islamophobia the former government is used to using to score political points at the expense of Muslim communities.
The scenes we are witnessing in Gaza are ones of global concern, not just of one community. We continue to urge for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of innocent live as the killing continues.”