Britain’s main opposition parties are demanding that the Conservative government publish legal advice regarding whether Israel has violated international humanitarian law during the war in Gaza. They believe that if the law has been broken, the UK should ban weapons sales to Israel. Calls for an end to arms exports have intensified following an Israeli airstrike that killed seven aid workers, three of whom were British. Labour Party’s foreign affairs spokesman David Lammy is urging the government to release the legal advice immediately.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan, a senior Labour official, echoed Lammy’s sentiments, stating that there is no justification for not publishing the legal advice. He emphasized the importance of transparency to ensure that the British government is adhering to international law. The Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party have also joined in calling for a halt to arms sales to Israel. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak did not commit to releasing the legal advice but emphasized that the UK follows strict rules and regulations governing arms exports.
Sunak has been clear in his communications with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the need for compliance with international humanitarian law during the conflict. He stressed the importance of protecting civilian lives and ensuring that Israel’s actions are in line with legal standards. The refusal to publish the legal advice has sparked concern among opposition parties and highlighted the need for transparency in arms exports to countries involved in conflict. The debate over arms sales to Israel continues to intensify as the conflict in Gaza persists.
