UK pausing weapon sales to Israel would be a ‘significant political and symbolic step’ and despite Israel bullish and dismissive rhetoric they would feel the pressure.
Sir Mark Lyall Grant, the former permanent representative of the UK to the United Nations, has said there have been a “number of developments” since government lawyers analysed the legality of Israel’s military actions in Gaza last year.
He was reacting to warnings by 600 lawyers and academics that the UK is breaching international law by continuing to arm Israel.
Sir Mark, who is also the former UK national security adviser, told WTX News: “When they last did so, this was in December. They decided that there wasn’t a serious risk of a violation of international humanitarian law by Israel and therefore it was legitimate for the British government to continue to sell weapons to Israel.
“I think since December there have been a number of developments that are highlighted in this letter from judges and lawyers.
“Firstly, you’ve got the ICJ judgement which said that there was a plausible risk of genocide in the conflict in Gaza.
“You’ve got the fact that there was a Security Council Resolution 27/28 calling for an immediate ceasefire which Israel hasn’t abided by.
“And you’ve got the continuing humanitarian crisis, a siege prevention of aid going into Gaza and the risk of famine of the population.
“So I think those developments since then means that if the government lawyers were to look again at this issue, they may come to a different judgement.”
Symbolic
Sir Mark added that the UK pausing weapon sales to Israel would be a “significant step”.
“Other European countries like Spain, like Belgium, have suspended weapons sales,” he said.
“We shouldn’t exaggerate the significance of the step because actually Britain sells very few weapons to Israel, particularly compared to the United States.
“So it wouldn’t make any difference to Israel’s military capacity, but nonetheless would be quite a significant political and symbolic step.”