Editorial 03 September 2024.
A variety of stories lead Tuesday’s newspapers with the news the UK has suspended some weapons sales to Israel one of the most popular leads. Elsewhere, other domestic stories – mostly political make the front splashes.
The back page speculates on Manchester United’s boss Erik Ten Hag after a poor start to the new Premier League season. There is also coverage of British tennis player Jack Draper – who’s through to the last eight of the men’s singles of the US Open.
‘UK breaks with the US over Israel’
The Guardian frames the news as the UK ‘breaking’ with the US regarding the stance. The UK’s policy on Israel has been “tightly coordinated” with the US, the paper says, and the recent decision is “likely to cause tensions” with the Biden administration.”
The paper quotes the Foreign Office saying there hasn’t been a decision reached on whether UK arms have contributed to the destruction of Gaza – but the scale of damage and the rising civilian death toll is of great concern.
The i newspaper says 30 of 350 existing export permits have been suspended because of concerns the use of the parts would breach international law. The paper says David Lammy has “sent a stark message” to the Israeli government.
The FT highlights the fact that British arms only make up 1% of Israeli imports the real impact is the ‘significant diplomatic blow.’ The paper highlights the UK is the first major Western ally to suspend sales.
The Times quotes Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant saying he was “deeply disheartened” by the decision. “This comes at a time when we fight a war on 7 different fronts – a war that was launched by a savage terrorist organization, unprovoked,” he said.
“At a time when we mourn 6 hostages who were executed in cold blood by Hamas inside tunnels in Gaza. At a time when we fight to bring 101 hostages home.”
The Times’ editorial calls the measure a “PR exercise” which is “designed to insulate Labour from any domestic fallout”.
The Daily Mirror says if Britain continues to supply arms it “would have risked contributing to war crimes.”
‘Tories talked right but governed left’
Away from the arms suspension, other domestic stories feature on the UK newspapers.
The Daily Mail says the prime minister is facing a backlash from his party over Labour plans to cut winter fuel payments for around 10 million pensioners. The paper says the PM has told his MPs he won’t tolerate dissent on the issue and will be “really tough on this.”
The Daily Mirror says the PM will take action after surge pricing saw some Oasis fans hit with huge price rises while trying to secure tickets for the band’s reunion tour. Sir Keir says: “There are a number of things we can do and we should do.”
The Daily Express reports on Tory leadership hopeful Kemi Badnoch who says the party needs to return to its traditional values if it wants to win the next general election. The paper says Badenoch, speaking at her leadership campaign launch, said the last government had been defeated because it “talked right but governed left”.
The Metro reports on missing student Jack O’Sullivan, whose mother said she has received hoax messages from people trying to make money from his disappearance.