- Family protests arms transfer to Israel after aid worker’s death
- Pressure mounts on Rishi Sunak over UK arms sales
- Evaluation underway to potentially suspend arms export licenses to Israel
Protesting the transfer of arms to Israel, the family of a British aid worker killed in an airstrike in Gaza has spoken out.
James Henderson, along with seven other aid workers, perished in the “inexcusable” Israeli assault, as described by his sibling.
After the attack, which claimed the lives of Australian, Palestinian, American-Canadian, and Polish nationals in addition to British citizens John Chapman and James Kirby, Rishi Sunak is under increasing pressure.
Tuesday, the Prime Minister stated that the United Kingdom’s armaments licencing system was “extremely cautious.”
Earlier, 600 legal experts advised the government in a letter that halted weapon exports would put the United Kingdom in violation of international law due to the “plausible risk of genocide” in Gaza.
The charity reported that the World Central Kitchen aid workers had recently discharged over one hundred tonnes of food aid and that the convoy movements had been coordinated with the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
Brother of former Royal Marine Mr Henderson, who declined to be identified, told the Times that the murders committed during a humanitarian mission were “inexcusable” on behalf of the veteran’s family.
“Accountability is the only hope of justice I have”, said the individual. “While my confidence is not in our government’s ability to hold the appropriate individuals accountable, I can assure you that it will provide Israel with weaponry that could potentially be employed to murder American citizens.
That isn’t easy to comprehend
Comparatively modest in value to arms deliveries to Germany and Italy, British arms sales to Israel are insignificant compared to the billions of dollars supplied by its largest arms supplier, the United States.
However, a prohibition by the United Kingdom would increase the diplomatic and political pressure on Israel during a period of heightened international scrutiny regarding its actions in the Gaza conflict.
A near-completion evaluation is underway to determine whether or not to suspend or revoke existing export licences to Israel.
This evaluation—which will guide the potential for Israel to violate international law—has not been triggered by the recent airstrike. Indeed, the incident may not even be taken into account, as its focus is on Israel’s conduct since the beginning of 2024.
Although the business secretary is technically responsible for determining whether to issue arms export licences, an MP with knowledge of the procedure stated that Mr Sunak would actually make the determination once the Foreign Office issues its legal advice.
Former British foreign secretary Jack Straw stated on Thursday evening that he believed Israel’s violation of international law was “obvious.”
Instead of being “caught out” by the murdering of Western aid workers, Mr Straw stated on Radio 4’s PM programme that Israeli forces “would have dug in and refused any accountability at all” if the victims had been Palestinian.
“Immediate action is required”
Lady Hale, the former president of the Supreme Court, was one of several solicitors, academicians and retired senior judges who endorsed a 17-page letter to the government concerning arms sales to Israel.
The document indicates that “serious action” is essential to “avoid UK complicity in grave breaches of international law, including potential violations of the Genocide Convention.
The letters further assert that the government’s obligations under international law are not adequately fulfilled regarding the sale of arms and weapon systems to Israel. This is in light of the “plausible risk of genocide” in Gaza, which was emphasised in a provisional judgement by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in January, and the deteriorating humanitarian situation that has persisted since then.
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Former Supreme Court judge and one of the most prominent signatories, Lord Sumption, stated that the United Kingdom had a responsibility to prevent genocide in Gaza, where “it is plausible that this is the case.”
Furthermore, he stated that the “framework of international law surrounding war” does not permit nations to behave arbitrarily, “however outrageously,” even if they have been provoked or assaulted.
Lord Sumption further elaborated: “This does not imply that innocent civilians and children can be slaughtered without discrimination. That does not mean that humanitarian convoys are vulnerable to attack… That does not imply that institutions can be flattened in two weeks.
Sunak said the UK is breaking international law by arming Israel
