UK restricts arms deliveries to Israel
The British government has suspended some arms exports to Israel. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy explained that the move was prompted by concerns that certain weapons could be used to ‘commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law’. Europe’s press takes stock.
Don’t treat Israel like a pariah state
The Times is outraged by British Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s announcement:
“In doing so he effectively labelled Israel, a close ally, a pariah state deserving of sanctions normally reserved for brutish tyrannies such as Iran and Russia. While softening his announcement with weasel words about the UK’s dedication to defending Israel, Mr Lammy’s intention was clear: to cut loose a friend in need and reduce the domestic political damage to Labour from the war in Gaza. ... How much Britain should invest in Mr Netanyahu personally is arguable. But this country’s support for Israel’s defence should not be in doubt.”
A crucial warning
Le Monde welcomes the UK’s decision:
“The slogans of the dangerous provocateurs advocating the annexation of the occupied territories and the expulsion of the Palestinians guarantee the continuation of the conflict, as shown by the increasingly worrying events in the occupied West Bank. Against this desperate backdrop, the British government’s decision to partially suspend arms sales to Israel is to be welcomed. Symbolic as it is, this measure is a warning that Britain faces impasses which Israel’s coalition government should not simply ignore.”
Up the pressure on Washington
La Stampa appeals to Italy and Germany:
“London’s decision, which comes after similar decisions by Belgium and Spain, is not in itself a significant step. However if the other two major European arms exporters to Israel, namely Germany and Italy, were to take similar measures, this would increase the pressure on Washington to move in the same direction. At that point, and only at that point, would Netanyahu truly be cornered. But that point is still so far away as to be almost invisible.”
Israel must not give up
Political scientist and lawyer Anna Konstantinidou explains in HuffPost Greece why she believes the war in Gaza must continue for the time being:
“War crimes include the kidnapping of hostages, and in this case the murder of hostages (these and many others found after operations by the Israel Defence Forces). ... As harsh as what I write here may seem, if extensive military operations aimed at uncovering the underground passages and tunnels are not continued in these areas, Israel will have to go through the same ordeal at a later date. And not only Israel. Jordan and Egypt will also face a huge problem (as they already do), because these underground passages also pose a threat to the internal security of these Arab states.”