Full arms embargo on Israel “would be a mistake”: UK Foreign Secretary

London (Quds News Network)- UK’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said that imposing a full arms embargo on Israel would be a “mistake”, after he announced a partial suspension of export licences earlier this month.

Speaking at a Labour Party conference event on Sunday, Lammy stated, “I don’t think it would be quite right to suspend licences, for example, that the Israelis could use in relation to the Houthis, that Israel may need to use in relation to the challenges it has with other proxies in the area,” LBC News reported.

“I think that would be a mistake. It would lead to a wider war and an escalation that we here in the UK are committed to stopping, so I’m afraid I disagree with that position.”

He told MPs: “Throughout my life, I have been a friend of Israel. A liberal, progressive Zionist who believes in Israel as a democratic state and a homeland for the Jewish people, which has both the right to exist and defend itself.”

Lammy noted that he believes that “Israel will only exist in safety and security if there is a two-state solution that guarantees the rights of all Israeli citizens and their Palestinian neighbours, who have their own inalienable right to self determination and security.”

“As concern that the horrifying scenes in Gaza has risen, many in this House, as well as esteemed lawyers and international organisations have raised British arms export licensing to Israel.”

“After raising my own concerns from opposition, on taking office, I immediately sought to update the review, and on my first appearance as Foreign secretary in this House, I committed to sharing the review’s conclusions.”

“We have rigorously followed every stage of the process which the previous Conservative government established, and let me first be clear on the review’s scope, this Government is not an international court,” Lammy said.

“We have not and could not arbitrate on whether or not Israel has breached international humanitarian law. This is a forward looking evaluation, not a determination of innocence or guilt, and it does not prejudge any future determinations by the competent courts.”

Lammy also slammed the rising in Israeli settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, saying he was in talks with G7 allies about responding to “deeply” concerning “escalatory behaviour” in the West Bank.

“I’m deeply, deeply worried by the growing violence and settler violence that we see in the West Bank,” Mr Lammy said.

“I’m in discussions with G7 partners, particular European partners on that. I’m not announcing further sanctions today, but that is kept under close review.”

Lammy also claimed that Israel could be doing more to ensure “life-saving food and medical supplies” reach civilians in Gaza “in light of the appalling humanitarian situation.”

He told the Commons: “Israel’s actions in Gaza continue to lead to immense loss of civilian life, widespread destruction to civilian infrastructure, and immense suffering.

“In many cases, it’s not impossible to reach determinative conclusion on allegations regarding Israel’s conduct of facilities, in part because there is insufficient information, either from Israel or other reliable sources to verify such claims.

Lammy condemned Israel’s mistreatemwnt of Palestinian detainees in cudtody, noting that “both my predecessor and all our major allies have repeatedly and forcefully raised these concerns with the Israeli government. Regrettably, they have not been addressed satisfactorily.”

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