Britain Stands Firm on Arms Sales to Israel, Despite Calls for Halts and Legal Concerns
The British government, under Foreign Minister David Cameron, has decided not to halt arms sales to Israel by British companies despite pressure to do so.
The decision was made after reviewing the latest legal advice on the matter.
The British government has come under pressure to revoke licenses allowing arms exports to Israel following the Israeli air and ground campaign in Gaza, which began in October 2022.
Three former senior UK judges and over 600 members of the British legal profession have called on the government to halt arms sales to Israel, fearing complicity in genocide in Gaza.
The British government supplied 42 million pounds ($53 million) of arms to Israel in 2022.
Opposition political parties in Britain have urged the government to recall parliament, revoke export licenses to Gaza, and publish the legal advice used to justify the decision.
Prime Minister David Cameron defended the decision, stating it's important for ministers to act consistently with legal advice without making it public.
He expressed concerns over humanitarian access in Gaza but maintained that the export licenses would remain open.