UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer justified his government’s partial suspension of arms transfers to Israel as “a legal decision” on Wednesday, citing concerns that they could be used to violate humanitarian law.
Starmer stated that Monday’s decision to suspend 30 of 350 arms export licenses did not indicate a shift in the UK’s support for Israel’s right to self-defense.
He also said that allies “understand” the UK’s move.
“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 against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.
The review was begun shortly after Starmer’s centre-left Labour party swept to power in a landslide general election victory over the Conservatives in early July.
“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.
The partial ban covers items that could be used in the current conflict in Gaza including fighter aircraft, helicopters and drones but not parts for advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets.
The decision has angered Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slamming it as “shameful”.
Starmer also denied that the move indicated a spilt with the United States.
On Monday, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said London had informed Washington of its move before it was announced.
“We’ll let other nations decide for themselves if they’re going to support Israel and to what degree,” Kirby told reporters. “That’s what sovereignty is all about.”
He added that for its part there had been “no determination” by the United States that Israel had violated humanitarian law.
In London, Starmer told MPs: “We have talked this through with our allies, they understand, they have a different legal system, that is the point they have made.”
Starmer’s government takes a more balanced stance to the Middle East crisis than his predecessor, Rishi Sunak’s Tory ministry.
It has consistently urged for a cease-fire and increased humanitarian deliveries to Gaza, as well as the release of all captives detained in Hamas’ October 7 attacks.
It has, however, resumed funding for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) and withdrew a legal appeal to international arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials, including Netanyahu.