Exclusive

'None of our closest allies have stopped': Rishi Sunak defends decision not to suspend arms sales to Israel

10 April 2024, 08:12

Rishi Sunak defended the UK's decision not to suspend arms sales to Israel

EJ Ward

By EJ Ward

Rishi Sunak defended the UK's decision not to suspend arms sales to Israel, saying "none of our closest allies" have stopped existing export licences but added Benjamin Netanyahu "needs to do more" to alleviate suffering in Gaza.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The conversation comes as the Government faces increasing pressure to suspend licences for arms exports to Israel following the deaths of three British nationals in an air strike that killed seven people working for the humanitarian group World Central Kitchen.

Responding to a caller during an exclusive LBC phone-in interview with Nick Ferrari, the Prime Minister said: "It was a shocking tragedy what happened to our veterans when they were selflessly carrying out aid missions into Gaza and I've also said repeatedly the situation in Gaza is increasingly intolerable, you know, the humanitarian suffering that people are experiencing isn't right and Prime Minister Netanyahu needs to do more to alleviate that.

"I've made that very clear to him."

Mr Sunak said the UK has a "long-established process" relating to the arms export regime and "we review these things regularly".

"That's led to no change. Actually, none of our closest allies have currently suspended existing arms licences either, so we continue to discuss these things with our allies."

Read more: UK will not suspend arms sales to Israel despite pressure after aid worker deaths, Foreign Secretary confirms

Read more: Campaigners stage protest outside Keir Starmer's house over arms sales to Israel

The Prime Minister was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari during an exclusive phone-in
The Prime Minister was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari during an exclusive phone-in. Picture: LBC

Yesterday Labour's shadow foreign secretary has criticised Lord Cameron's decision not to publish legal advice on arms sales to Israel.

David Lammy said: "This simply is not good enough. David Cameron is still hiding from scrutiny by stating that arms sales will continue without even publishing a summary of the legal advice or offering any rationale behind his decision.

"The Foreign Secretary should come to the Bar of the House of Commons on its return to take urgent questions from MPs on the content of the Foreign Office's legal advice, the time period of the advice he is referring to and what impact political pressure from other members of the Cabinet had on his decision.

"It's vital the UK is not complicit in any breach. If there is a clear risk that UK arms might be used in a serious breach of international humanitarian law, the Government must suspend the sale of those arms."

Braverman: Iran is 'funding and supporting proxies to carry out attacks in the UK'

Recent tragedies in Gaza are not a reason to walk away from Israel, former home secretary Suella Braverman told LBC yesterday during an exclusive interview.

Asked if the UK should still be selling arms to Israel, Ms Braverman said: "I don't think the fact that these tragedies happen is a reason to walk away from Israel, and to stop selling arms to Israel, because of that broader battle that they are engaging with."

Ms Braverman said she supported the convention that legal advice given to the Government should be confidential.

She said: "I think that the Government needs to be able to behave in an environment where legal advice is confidential and privileged."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

A law that bans fake reviews and so called drip pricing for online shopping has come into force.

UK bans fake reviews and hidden fees in new law to protect online shoppers

Lucy Connolly was jailed for 31 months.

Tory councillor's wife who was jailed for inciting racial hatred after Southport attacks 'should be freed', says ex-PM

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said at last year's Budget that the move would raise £25 billion per year by 2029

Prices ‘pushed higher’ and warnings of job losses as National Insurance rise comes into effect

Video footage shows the convoy had emergency lights flashing when it was hit

Israel admits ‘mistakenly’ killing 15 aid workers after video leak contradicted official version of events

Police found two men stabbed on on Erconwald Street in East Acton. One of them died at the scene

Murder probe as man knifed to death in double stabbing in London street

Dan Norris, pictured here next to Keir Starmer has also been held on suspicion of misconduct in public office

Labour MP arrested on suspicion of rape and child sex offences

The victim, centre, and his two killers

Moment London knife victim, 22, buys drinks for his killers before they stab him to death in street

An armed Met counter-terror firearms unit at Downing Street

UK police chiefs ‘plan national counter-terrorism force’

Patrick Mullins aboard Nick Rockett after winning the Randox Grand Nationa

Nick Rockett wins 2025 Grand National at Aintree holding off last year's winner I Am Maximus

She was reportedly robbed outside an Italian restaurant in Cheshire

Wife of Man Utd goalkeeper Andre Onana ‘robbed of £62K handbag and Rolex’

Jaguar Land Rover has paused shipments to the US in the wake of 'Liberation Day' tariffs

Jaguar Land Rover halts shipments to US in wake of tariffs as Trump insists he'll win 'economic revolution'

The fire happened at Goldenbeach Holiday Park, Roman Bank, Ingoldmells.

Two people killed in caravan fire at holiday park in Lincolnshire

Easter eggs have been recalled over a potential risk of 'metal'

'Do not eat' warning as major chocolate brand recalls two Easter eggs amid fears they contain metal

Flowers and toys left on a swing seat to commemorate victims killed in Russia's missile attack on Friday

Death toll from Russian strike on Zelenskyy's home town rises as 18 confirmed dead - including nine children

Lucy Connolly

Tory councillor's wife who was jailed for racial hatred tweet after Southport attacks 'denied temporary release'

The scene at Beckenham Place Park

Body found in search for teenage boy who went missing while swimming in lake in south-east London