Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused the UK Government of sending “mixed messages” over its support for Israel and “undermining” the country’s right to self-defence.
The new Labour administration has suspended around 30 arms exports to Israel amid concerns they could be used in violations of international humanitarian law in the Gaza conflict.
Sir Keir Starmer has also dropped the previous Conservative Government’s plan to challenge the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) application for an arrest warrant against Netanyahu.
This has led to diplomatic tensions with Israel, which launched a counter-attack in Gaza after Hamas-led militants broke into Israel and killed around 1,200 people and abducted around 250 others. More than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in the counter-attack, according to the territory’s Health Ministry.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has hit out at Sir Keir
PA
Netanyahu told Daily Mail: “After the October 7 Hamas massacre, the previous British government was clear in its support. Unfortunately, the current Government is sending mixed messages.
“They say that Israel has the right to defend itself, but they undermine our ability to exercise that right both by reversing Britain’s position on the absurd allegations made by the ICC prosecutor against Israel and by blocking weapons sales to Israel as we fight against the genocidal terrorist organisation that carried out the October 7 massacre.
He added the conflict was a “just war with just means” and claimed it is taking “unprecedented measures to keep civilians out of harm’s way and comporting fully with international law.
“Just as Britain’s heroic stand against the Nazis is seen today as having been vital in defeating barbarism, so too will history judge Israel’s stand against Hamas and Iran’s axis of terror. Israel will win this war and secure our common future.”
LATEST ON THE WAR IN GAZA:
People pray next to the bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Khan Younis
Reuters
Palestinians walk past the rubble of houses destroyed during the Israeli military offensive
Reuters
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We have been absolutely clear that when taking military action to support its legitimate right to self-defence, Israel must adhere to international humanitarian law.
“The UK has raised concerns about these issues over many months, and so have other allies. Regrettably, these concerns have not been satisfactorily addressed.
“Our priority remains achieving a ceasefire in Gaza, the hostages released, civilians protected and aid flood in. There is no place in Britain for antisemitism, and we will not relent in our work to root out hatred in all forms.
“This Government is committed to multi-year funding for the Community Security Trust, and working with the Jewish community and police to ensure that everyone feels safe on our streets.”
A poster featuring who were taken hostage or killed during the October 7 attack
Reuters
Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine to the U.N., Riyad Mansour
Reuters
More than 130 world leaders will meet at the United Nations next week to discuss the conflict in the Middle East as well as Sudan and Ukraine as the UN General Assembly adopted a Palestinian-drafted resolution that demands Israel end “its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory” within 12 months”.
The resolution received 124 votes in favour, while 43 countries abstained and Israel, the United States and 12 others voted no. Netanyahu is due to address the 193-member General Assembly on September 26, the same day as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour told the General Assembly: “Each country has a vote, and the world is watching us. Please stand on the right side of history. With international law. With freedom. With peace.”
The Palestinian Authority represents the Palestinian people at the UN, where it is a non-member observer state and the delegation is known as the State of Palestine.
