Former justices of the UK Supreme Court, alongside over 600 members of the British legal profession, have called on the government to cease arms sales to Israel. They argue that such sales could potentially make Britain complicit in genocide in Gaza. This call has also received support from leading intelligence experts who emphasize the need for Britain to leverage its influence to push for a change in Israel’s behavior.
While the British government has traditionally been a staunch ally of Israel, recent developments have led to a reevaluation of its stance. Foreign Secretary David Cameron has emphasized the importance of Israel complying with international humanitarian law, with a pending judgement on the matter expected soon.
Despite resistance from the government, pressure to halt arms sales has intensified, especially following the deaths of seven aid workers, including three British nationals, in Israeli airstrikes. Critics argue that continuing arms sales to Israel could implicate the UK in potential violations of international law.
Although Israel has denied allegations of genocide and affirmed its commitment to international law, calls to suspend arms sales persist. Former national security adviser Peter Ricketts and ex-head of MI6 Alex Younger have both advocated for using arms sales as leverage to address concerns about civilian casualties.
While the UK has previously halted arms sales to Israel in response to specific events, such as the 2009 Gaza conflict, the current situation has prompted renewed calls for action to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law.
