August 4, 2024
2 mins read

‘UK stalls military sales to Israel’

Shadow Foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell told the Mail that the move was “bizarre” in light of Iran’s recent threats against Israel and escalations on Israel’s northern border…reports Asian Lite News

The government has reportedly caused outrage by implementing a “secret arms embargo” on Israel, according to a Friday exclusive by The Daily Mail.

The Mail reported that civil servants had paused applications for new weapons export licenses pending UK Foreign Minister David Lammy’s review of whether war crimes were carried out during the offensive against Hamas.

According to the exclusive, Lammy will not announce a decision until later this summer, a months-long delay.

The pause in licensing also prevents military radios and body armor from being sent out.

“It means any new license requests are put into Room 101 indefinitely,” an anonymous source told the Mail. “For years, the Labour Left have sought to halt all arms exports to Israel, and now they have the levers of power, it seems it’s the first thing they have done.”

Shadow Foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell told the Mail that the move was “bizarre” in light of Iran’s recent threats against Israel and escalations on Israel’s northern border.

“Our close ally Israel is under direct threat from Hezbollah, who murdered 12 children in a missile attack last weekend. Just recently, British arms and military personnel were deployed to protect Israel from a direct assault by Iran,” Mitchell continued.

Col. Richard Kemp, former commander of UK forces in Afghanistan, described the move as a “secret arms embargo” and slammed the government for its decision.

“‘It is disgraceful Labour have said they’re doing one thing, reviewing the situation, and at the same time imposing what is effectively an arms embargo on Israel,” Kemp said.

Britain’s greater readiness to impose an export ban is connected in part to Israel’s refusal to allow visits by the International Committee of the Red Cross to the Sde Teiman detention facility, where Palestinian prisoners are detained. Lawyers for the UK government visited Israel recently to underline Britain’s position that denying access to the Red Cross was a violation of the Geneva conventions. According to the Yedioth Ahronoth daily newspaper, the then foreign secretary David Cameron warned Israel that the continued denial of access could result in a Europe-wide arms embargo. Cameron also became increasingly frustrated over Israel’s lack of cooperation in allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza.

ALSO READ-Gaza hospitals receive 20 tons of medical aid from UAE

Previous Story

Uddhav Thackeray takes on Fadnavis

Next Story

‘Governors responsible for setting an ideal example for citizens’

Latest from -Top News

Pakistan’s Shadow War in Balochistan

At least 50 killed by Pakistan-backed death squads in Balochistan in April, says HRCB — toll expected to rise in May….reports Asian Lite News The Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB) reported

Russia, Ukraine Resume Talks

The upcoming talks follow a significant hiatus in diplomatic engagement between the two nations, which have been locked in a brutal conflict since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 Russia and

UN Pays Tribute to Indian Soldiers

Thursday was observed as the 77th UN Peacekeepers Day, honouring the work of 61,353 peacekeepers, of whom 5,375 hailed from India….reports Asian Lite News Brigadier Amitabh Jha and Havildar Sanjay Singh, who

Modi’s New Warfare Playbook

Modi has upended the old playbook and India and Pakistan are entering dangerous new territory where nuclear deterrence is no longer a guarantee against conventional conflict…writes Collins Chong Yew Keat The India-Pakistan

World needs Dubai’s ambition: Morgan

Piers Morgan has hailed Dubai’s transformation as an example of what visionary leadership can achieve. British broadcaster Piers Morgan has praised the extraordinary ambition and vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Israeli PM calls comments to erase village ‘inappropriate’

The village of Hawara in the occupied West Bank was

Israel warns Lebanon over Hezbollah actions

Gantz warned that Israel is “prepared in all areas —