British Arms sales to Israel: Top judges urge UK to halt weapons trade
More than 600 legal experts, including three former Supreme Court justices, are urging the UK government to halt arms sales to Israel, citing concerns over potential violations of international law.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, they argue that continuing arms exports could lead to breaches of international law, especially in light of recent events where Israeli forces killed seven aid workers.
Sunak, who is facing mounting pressure across party lines, has defended the UK’s arms licensing regime. While British arms sales are comparatively lower than those of other nations like Germany and Italy, they are overshadowed by the substantial supply from the United States, the largest arms supplier.
However, a ban on UK arms sales to Israel could heighten diplomatic and political tensions, particularly as Israel’s actions during the Gaza conflict face renewed international scrutiny.
Signatories to the 17-page letter include former Supreme Court president Lady Hale, as well as numerous legal experts, academics, and retired senior judges. They argue for urgent measures to prevent UK complicity in potential breaches of international law, including violations of the Genocide Convention.
The letter says that the sale of arms to Israel falls short of the UK government’s international obligations and warns of a credible risk of genocide in Gaza.
Among the signatories are former Supreme Court justices Lord Sumption and Lord Wilson, as well as nine other judges and 69 senior barristers.
Calls for the suspension of UK export licenses have intensified following the killing of seven aid workers, including three British citizens, in airstrikes in Gaza.