Written By Lisa Murimi
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly criticized the UK’s decision to suspend some arms sales to Israel, calling it “shameful.”
In a social media statement, Netanyahu argued that the move would “only embolden Hamas,” rather than support Israel, which he described as a “fellow democracy defending itself against barbarism.”
The UK government recently suspended around 30 out of 350 arms export licenses to Israel, citing concerns that the weapons could be used in Gaza in violation of international law.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey assured that the country remains a “staunch ally” of Israel, and that the suspension would not weaken Israel’s security.
However, human rights group Amnesty International UK criticized the decision as “too limited,” with their chief executive, Sacha Deshmukh, calling it “gesture politics.”
The timing of the announcement, which coincided with the funerals of six hostages killed by Hamas, has also been criticized.
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson accused the government of “abandoning Israel,” while other critics, including Labour MP Zarah Sultana, have called for a complete halt to arms sales to Israel.
Despite the suspension, Netanyahu vowed that Israel would “win this war and secure our common future.”
