The UK recently suspended some arms sales to Israel. Israeli Minister Amichai Chikli said the decision to freeze arms sales to Israel was “disappointing” and sent the “wrong message”.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced on Monday (September 2) that the UK was suspending 30 out of 350 arms export licenses for military equipment to Israel.
He said there was a clear risk with the banned weapons.
The equipment could be used to commit serious violations of international law, he said. But the Foreign Secretary confirmed that the UK still supports Israel’s right to self-defence.
Meanwhile, Israel says this decision of the United States is disappointing. Israeli Minister Chikli said the decision came at a sensitive moment when Israelis were burying six people killed in Hamas tunnels.
On August 31, Israeli forces recovered the bodies of 6 hostages held by Hamas. The bodies were found in an underground tunnel in Rafah. The IDF identified the hostages as Carmel Gatt, Eden Ereshalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Pollin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Master Sergeant Ori Danino. An American citizen was also reportedly among the hostages.
Families and friends of the hostages are furious with the Netanyahu government after the bodies of six hostages were recovered from Gaza’s Rafah. They allege that the hostages in Gaza are dying because of the stubbornness of Netanyahu and his cabinet.
