UK’s Foreign Secretary Firm on Continued Arms Support to Israel, Despite U.S. Halting

On the 12th, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron stated that even if Israel undertakes a large-scale ground operation in Rafah, Gaza Strip, the UK will not cease its weapons support.

During an interview with BBC, Cameron clarified the position that he will not follow the US’s approach of halting weapons support, even if he does not assist Israel’s incursion into Rafah. He argued, “If we simply announce a change in our weapons export proposition without a careful process, it will empower Hamas.” Recently, the US has been pressuring Israel by putting a hold on the scheduled shipment of bombs to Israel and stating they will halt weapons support in the event of an obtrusion into Rafah.

In response, Cameron said, “As the US is a major weapons supplier, unlike the UK, which only supplies 1% of Israel’s weapons, its position is completely different from the UK’s.”

Last month, the UK government faced pressure to halt weapons supply to Israel even after three Britons, among others from the relief organization World Central Kitchen (WCK), were killed by Israeli army shelling.

Regarding this, Cameron said, “Just a few days after we felt the pressure, Iran attacked Israel by firing a cruise missile.” He stated he has “little interest” in sending messages through political movements like halting weapons supply.