Diplomats in London, Washington and Israel are trying to de-escalate tensions over the UK Government’s decision to impose a partial arms embargo over the war in Gaza.
Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the weapons ban on Israel as “shameful”, “misguided” and one which would “only embolden Hamas”.
There have been concerns that the decision by Sir Keir Starmer’s Government is a step further away from the Middle East policy pursued by the UK’s closest ally, the United States. It follows the earlier restoration of UK funding to the UNRWA aid agency, and the withdrawal of opposition to the International Criminal Court’s application for an arrest warrant against the Israeli prime minister.
But behind the scenes, all three governments are working hard to ease further tension at a sensitive moment. Mr Netanyahu is facing domestic protests following the killing of six hostages by Hamas, and the US is experiencing a period of uncertainty in the run-up tothe presidential election in November.
And US sources denied a report claiming that Washington had been assured by the Starmer Government it would not impose the embargo.
The source also highlighted comments made by Joe Biden that Mr Netanyahu was “not doing enough” to secure the release of the remaining Israeli hostages.
On Sunday, Israel was informed by British ministers of the UK’s decision to ban 30 military items it says carry a risk of being used in violation of international humanitarian law.
There have been close talks between both countries since late July, when Attorney General Richard Hermer visited Israel to assess UK legal advice – meaning the move, when it came, was not a total surprise.
However, the timing of the announcement, two days after the bodies of the six Israeli hostages were recovered, has been criticised both in Israel and in the UK.
In a statement on X, Mr Netanyahu wrote: “Days after Hamas executed six Israeli hostages, the UK government suspended thirty arms licences to Israel.
“This shameful decision will not change Israel’s determination to defeat Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organisation that savagely murdered 1,200 people on October 7, including 14 British citizens.
“Hamas is still holding over 100 hostages, including five British citizens. Instead of standing with Israel, a fellow democracy defending itself against barbarism, Britain’s misguided decision will only embolden Hamas.”
Israel’s defence minister Yoav Gallant wrote that he was “deeply disheartened” by the sanctions, adding: “This comes at a time when we fight a war on seven different fronts – a war that was launched by a savage terrorist organisation, unprovoked.
“At a time when we mourn six hostages who were executed in cold blood by Hamas inside tunnels in Gaza. At a time when we fight to bring 101 hostages home.”
And foreign minister Israel Katz said: “A step of the type taken by Britain now sends a very problematic message to the terrorist organisation Hamas and its agents in Iran.”
But a US national security source told i that reports suggesting that the UK had not informed the Biden administration of its intention to announce the partial arms ban were “misplaced”.
In May this year President Biden’s government held up at least one shipment of 3,500 bombs and artillery shells to Israel, when he announced the US would not transfer certain weapons if it proceeded with an assault on the city of Rafah in Gaza.
“If you look at the President’s position earlier this year, it is not dissimilar to the action taken by the UK,” said the source. “It is not correct to claim the UK ruled out blocking any arms sales to US officials. To my knowledge it was never discussed.
“However, the UK did inform the US of its intention to take this position before the announcement. It is not for the US to tell the UK how to conduct its foreign policy, but to those who suggest there is a rift on this matter I suggest they consider President Biden’s comment on Monday when he said Prime Minister Netanyahu was not doing enough to secure a deal to release hostages held by Hamas.”
However, Fred Fleitz, who advises Donald Trump on foreign policy and national security, criticised the UK’s decision, telling i it was not the actions of a close ally.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey said he had told his counterpart Mr Gallant about the decision before Monday’s announcement.
He told Times Radio that Mr Gallant “found the call unwelcome” but the Defence Secretary added: “That’s not surprising, but sometimes your closest friends are the ones that need to tell the hardest truths.”
