Benjamin Netanyahu has launched a harsh verbal attack against the British government, calling Labour leader Keir Starmer's decision to suspend 30 out of 350 arms export licenses to Israel from the United Kingdom "shameful."
The announcement, made on Monday, has also sparked a wave of criticism in the UK, led by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson: "Why is Starmer abandoning Israel? Do they want Hamas to win?" Phil Rosenberg, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, described the suspension of arms export licenses as "a terrible message at Israel's time of greatest need."
In a series of social media posts, Netanyahu criticized Starmer's decision with unprecedented harshness: "Instead of standing by Israel, a friendly democracy defending itself against barbarism, he has made a wrong decision that will only embolden Hamas."
"With or without British weapons, Israel will win this war and secure a common future," asserted the Israeli Prime Minister, emphasizing that the partial suspension of UK government licenses will not impact the "determination" of his country in its offensive against Hamas.
A Downing Street spokesperson responded to Netanyahu's remarks on Tuesday, emphasizing that the UK remains a "strong ally" of Israel and highlighting Britain's contribution to intercepting Iranian missiles in April, preventing "significant loss of life."
"Our ambition is to see an end to this devastating conflict," added the spokesperson. "We are working intensively with our international partners to make progress towards a ceasefire by both parties."
British Defense Secretary John Healey, on the other hand, stated on the BBC that the suspension of 30 out of 350 arms export licenses "will not have a material impact" on Israel's security. The suspensions, mainly affecting components of aircraft, helicopters, and drones, were justified citing the "clear risk" that the weapons could be used to violate international humanitarian laws.
Healey defended the timing of the announcement, on the same day as the funeral for the death of six Israeli hostages in Gaza, stating that the license review process had concluded, and the announcement was planned at the start of parliamentary sessions.
Criticism of the Foreign Secretary
Foreign Secretary David Lammy, considered the main driver of the decision, has also faced internal criticism within the party. Lammy occasionally distanced himself from Starmer for his pro-Israel policy during the most critical moments of the Gaza offensive, which caused serious divisions within Labour.
The Labour Friends of Israel group distanced themselves from their leader in a brief statement: "Since October 7, Israel has suffered repeated and indiscriminate attacks by Iran and its allies Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis (...) We do not believe that restricting arms sales will end the Gaza conflict or ensure the release of hostages, six of whom were brutally murdered by Hamas a few days ago."
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has taken advantage of the turmoil to announce the formation of a pro-Gaza parliamentary group, in alliance with four independent MPs. The Independent Alliance - also including Shockat Adam, Ayoub Khan, Adnan Hussain, and Iqbal Mohamed - aims to take a tough stance against the Israeli government from their seats in Westminster.
The UK ranks at the bottom in arms exports to Israel. The United States, with an annual contribution of 3.6 billion euros, accounts for 69% of exports, compared to 29% from Germany and 4% from Italy, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
British exports were 50 million euros in 2022 and 680 million since 2008, according to the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT). The revocation of 30 licenses ordered by the Starmer government does not initially affect components of the F-35 fighter program.