The SNP has
said "the UK government must stop failing the people of Gaza" and
finally end arms sales to Israel.
It
comes as SNP MPs sign a letter, calling on the Foreign Secretary
and Business Secretary to "immediately suspend export licenses
for arms transfers to Israel".
The letter has
been signed by 134 MPs and Lords from across the political
spectrum.
The SNP
previously attempted to table a motion mandating the UK
government to immediately end arms sales to Israel, and have
expressed concerns that the UK is relying on input
from Israeli military lawyers when it comes
to compliance with international humanitarian
law.
Brendan O'Hara
MP, the SNP's Foreign Affairs spokesperson, has warned that the
UK government has so far "dodged responsibility" on arms sales to
Israel.
Commenting,
Brendan O'Hara MP said:
"The UK
government must stop failing the people of Gaza.
"It has taken
an imminent famine and the death of 30,000 men, women and
children for the UK government to finally act at the UN Security
Council - but it has dodged responsibility on ending arm sales to
Israel.
"Ending arm
sales to Israel - as well as implementing the resolution passed
by the UN Security Council earlier this week - is the best way to
increase the diplomatic pressure for peace.
"The House
of Commons has previously blocked an SNP motion,
calling for the immediate end to Israeli arm sales. It cannot
turn its back on these demands again. It is time
for consensus.
"Countries
like The Netherlands and Canada are finally taking action -
it's time for the UK to follow suit."
ENDS
Notes to
Editors:
https://twitter.com/zarahsultana/status/1772898790053155083
'UK allowing Israel to mark its own homework over war crimes
scrutiny, MP warns' - https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-gaza-israel-international-humanitarian-compliance
