Plaid Cymru says UK has a ‘humanitarian duty' to halt arms sales
Plaid Cymru's Westminster leader, Liz Saville Roberts
MP has accused the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and
Foreign Secretary David Cameron of “hiding behind technicalities”
on the question of arms exports to Israel.
The Foreign Secretary David Cameron told reporters on Tuesday
that continuing to allow arms exports put the UK in line with
other “like-minded countries” and reiterated that the UK had a
robust legal process for assessing those licences.
Liz Saville Roberts pointed out that Belgium, Canada, Japan, the
Netherlands and Spain have all announced they would stop shipping
weapons to Israel.
The UN Human Rights Council has also backed a ban on weapons
sales to Israel, with 28 countries voting in favour, six against
and 13 abstentions.
Liz Saville Roberts MP said:
“Both the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary are deflecting
questions about the ongoing sale of arms to Israel by insisting
that none of Britain's closest allies have ‘currently suspended
existing arms licenses'.
“They are hiding behind technicalities rather than addressing the
horrific bigger picture.
“The reality is that over 30,000 people are dead, and millions
are starving. Yet, the UK Government continues to allow the
supply of arms, perpetuating the killing.
“Belgium, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands and Spain have all
announced they would stop shipping weapons to Israel. In Denmark,
a court case could result in its government having to suspend the
export of F35 fighter jet parts to the US, as the finished jets
are sold to Israel.
“The UK Government must not shirk its particular moral and
historical responsibility to seek peace in Israel and Palestine.
It should have the courage to prioritise its humanitarian duty
and immediately halt arms sales to Israel.”
Ends.
NODIADAU I'R GOLYGYDD /
EDITOR'S NOTES:
Spain and Belgium suspending arms exports to Israel – as UK
continues https://inews.co.uk/news/world/spain-belgium-arms-israel-2896041
Canada to halt arms sales to Israel after non-binding vote in
house of commons https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/19/canada-halt-arms-sales-to-israel
Dutch court blocks arms exports to Israel over ‘humanitarian
violations' https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-gaza-war-dutch-f35-jets-b2494683.html
Denmark: NGOs sue the Danish state to stop arms exports to Israel
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/03/denmark-ngos-sue-the-danish-state-to-stop-arms-exports-to-israel/
Corporate Japan deals an unwitting blow to US East Asia policy
https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2024/2/19/corporate-japan-deals-an-unwitting-blow-to-us-east-asia-policy
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council resolution urges arms embargo on
Israel: https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/04/1148261
