The British government is currently evaluating the possibility of placing a ban on arms exports to Israel should there be a military operation in Rafah, according to a recent report by the British newspaper “The Guardian”. Officials within the British government have indicated that while there has been no official decision reached on the matter, the UK is prepared to respond swiftly if legal counsel within the country determines that Israel is in violation of international law.
In correspondence with the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, in relation to the control of arms exports to Israel, British Foreign Minister David Cameron expressed his concerns about the potential military operation. He stated: “I cannot see how an attack in Rafah can proceed without causing harm to civilians and resulting in the destruction of houses.”
Andrew Mitchell, a minister in the British Foreign Office, voiced his stance on the matter in the House of Representatives. He stated that “an attack in Rafah represents a red line for the British government.” Emphasizing the UK’s position, Mitchell added that “Britain urges the Israeli government not to launch an attack that could have ‘devastating consequences’.”
Mitchell also criticized Hamas for their cynical tactics, but conceded that:We must recognize that the IDF soldiers will succeed in reaching the abductees or the Hamas leadership only at the enormous cost of harming the innocent. We share Israel’s desire to end the threat of Hamas and ensure that it no longer controls Gaza, but Britain and our partners claim that Israel must consider whether such military action is wise.”
According to a press release issued in the UK, as the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, there is growing diplomatic pressure for the UK to follow the lead of other countries and ban arms exports to Israel.
