Britain's public dispute with Netanyahu over Gaza arms restrictions escalates

Britain has defended its arms embargo against Israel after Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the decision was “misguided”.

The Foreign Office has warned Tel Aviv that it must comply with international law, adding that Britain's concerns about possible violations had not been “satisfactorily addressed”.

In an extraordinary broadside, the Israeli prime minister accused Sir Keir Starmer's government of undermining his country's right to defend itself against Hamas and Hezbollah by suspending some arms licenses in September.

Relations between Britain and Israel are already strained due to three major decisions made by the new Labour government since it took office in July, including the partial arms ban in September.

The remarks came at a critical time in Middle East diplomacy, as the international community appealed for calm following attacks on Hezbollah fighters' electronic equipment this week, for which the Mossad was blamed.

Both the British and Israeli governments stressed on Thursday that they remained friends and allies, despite Netanyahu's sharp rebuke in an interview with Daily Mail.

However, the Foreign Ministry warned Israel that it had not “satisfactorily addressed” concerns about possible violations of international law.

And a spokesman for Mr Netanyahu strongly reminded Britain that their alliance was based on the recognition that Israel lives in a “difficult neighbourhood”.

Israel criticized Britain for the arms embargo as well as for the decision to drop its opposition to the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant against Netanyahu and to restore funding to the Palestinian relief agency UNRWA.

The Israeli Prime Minister told the Daily Mail: “Most recently, the new British government suspended 30 arms licenses for Israel, days after Hamas executed six Israeli hostages, sending a terrible message to Hamas.

“These misguided decisions will not change Israel’s determination to defeat Hamas. [which] On October 7, 1,200 people were brutally murdered, including 14 British citizens, and 255 people, including five British citizens, were taken hostage.”

A US State Department spokesman said: “We have been very clear that Israel must comply with international humanitarian law when taking military action in support of its legitimate right of self-defense.”

“The UK and other allies have been raising concerns on these issues for many months. Unfortunately, these concerns have not been satisfactorily addressed.

“Our priority remains to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, release the hostages, protect civilians and flow humanitarian aid.”

Foreign Secretary David Lammy stressed that Britain remains a friend of Israel and supports Israel's right to exist and its right to self-defence in accordance with international law.

And Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said restrictions on British arms exports to Israel were “fair” and “proportionate”.

He told LBC: “The decision we took was fair, proportionate and in line with international law. And fundamentally, we – and all people in the Middle East – need a ceasefire in this conflict.”

“That is in Israel's interest. I think it is in everyone's interest to make sure we get there, but we will always abide by international law as a government and I think that is what you would expect from the British government.”

“But I was aware of the danger in the north from Lebanon and Hezbollah and made sure that the restrictions we imposed took that situation into account.”

One diplomatic analyst characterized the current relationship between London and Tel Aviv as “confirmation that they see each other as friends, albeit with a dig.” The source added that while international diplomacy is not a league table, “if it were, then Britain would have slipped down that list in Israel's eyes.”

Asked whether Britain and Israel remained friends and allies, Israeli government spokesman David Mencer said: “The relationship between Britain and Israel is extremely important for both countries. We believe that it is also based on shared values. On the values ​​that we are a democracy, have a free press and are a free society.”

“In fact, we are the only democracy within hundreds of miles. That is why Iran hates this country, that is why Iran has declared it wants to destroy this country, and that is why Israel considers any country that understands the unique situation of this country in this difficult neighborhood as an ally.

“We stand here for freedom and welcome the support of all allies who understand this struggle. But we also recognize that it is not just our struggle here in Israel. Iran is attacking us and trying to destroy us.

“We are just a stopgap measure on the way to other democracies. So we are at the forefront of this fight and that is why we must succeed in the interests of civilization.”