Senior Jewish peer says Starmer right over Israel arms export decision
Crossbench peer Lord Carlile, who sits on the all-party committee for Israel, said the PM had shown “courage and conviction... however difficult it is”
By Lee Harpin September 9, 2024
Lord Carlile, a counter-terrorism expert, and crossbench peer
A senior Jewish peer has backed Keir Starmer over the controversial decision to suspend some arms export licences to Israel, and claimed the previous Tory government had failed to follow similar advice.
In a major intervention, crossbench peer Lord Carlile, who sits on the all-party committee for Israel, said the Prime Minister had shown “courage and conviction… however difficult it is” with the move.
Writing for The Independent, Carlile, who has been a vocal critic of the BBC over allegations it is biased against Israel, said:“The legal advice relied upon by Sir Keir Starmer and David Lammy has long been known to senior UK ministers.
“Sitting on clear legal advice for more than a very short time cannot be justified. Starmer has shown courage and a conviction that the right thing must be done – however difficult it is.”
Keir Starmer gives NATO statement in Commons
Carlile, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation between 2001 and 2011, also claimed that former foreign secretary Lord Cameron received the same legal advice as that acted upon by foreign secretary David Lammy last week but chose not to act on it.
This claim was denied by a source close to Cameron.
Barrister Carlile also described Starmer as “one of the most able analytical lawyers of his generation” and said that former prime ministers such as Boris Johnson “should have known better” before making “wildly disproportionate” criticism of the decision.
He also said he was “dismayed” by attacks by communal leaders on the suspension of a limited number of arms exports.
Carlile noted that Italy, the Dutch courts, Spain. and Canada have all reached often harsher verdicts on arms sales to Israel.
“It is crucial that the rule of law – which prevents the abuse of state power and applies to all – is not shouted down in an unruly way by people who are acting on prejudice, dressed up as principle,” he added.
“It is insidious that democracy, brought about by parliamentarians doing exactly what legal advice dictates, should be hijacked by populist sloganeering – especially when that comes from former prime ministers like Boris Johnson, who should know better.”
He also strongly condemed Benjamin Netanyahu saying:”His stubborn resistance in recent months to sound advice given by IDF commanders, by the families of hostages who remain unaccounted for, and by senior international figures including the president and vice-president of the USA, to many of us signifies a person no longer fit for high office.”
Crossbench peer Lord Carlile, who sits on the all-party committee for Israel, said the PM had shown “courage and conviction... however difficult it is”
By Lee Harpin September 9, 2024
Lord Carlile, a counter-terrorism expert, and crossbench peer
A senior Jewish peer has backed Keir Starmer over the controversial decision to suspend some arms export licences to Israel, and claimed the previous Tory government had failed to follow similar advice.
In a major intervention, crossbench peer Lord Carlile, who sits on the all-party committee for Israel, said the Prime Minister had shown “courage and conviction… however difficult it is” with the move.
Writing for The Independent, Carlile, who has been a vocal critic of the BBC over allegations it is biased against Israel, said:“The legal advice relied upon by Sir Keir Starmer and David Lammy has long been known to senior UK ministers.
“Sitting on clear legal advice for more than a very short time cannot be justified. Starmer has shown courage and a conviction that the right thing must be done – however difficult it is.”
Keir Starmer gives NATO statement in Commons
Carlile, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation between 2001 and 2011, also claimed that former foreign secretary Lord Cameron received the same legal advice as that acted upon by foreign secretary David Lammy last week but chose not to act on it.
This claim was denied by a source close to Cameron.
Barrister Carlile also described Starmer as “one of the most able analytical lawyers of his generation” and said that former prime ministers such as Boris Johnson “should have known better” before making “wildly disproportionate” criticism of the decision.
He also said he was “dismayed” by attacks by communal leaders on the suspension of a limited number of arms exports.
Carlile noted that Italy, the Dutch courts, Spain. and Canada have all reached often harsher verdicts on arms sales to Israel.
“It is crucial that the rule of law – which prevents the abuse of state power and applies to all – is not shouted down in an unruly way by people who are acting on prejudice, dressed up as principle,” he added.
“It is insidious that democracy, brought about by parliamentarians doing exactly what legal advice dictates, should be hijacked by populist sloganeering – especially when that comes from former prime ministers like Boris Johnson, who should know better.”
He also strongly condemed Benjamin Netanyahu saying:”His stubborn resistance in recent months to sound advice given by IDF commanders, by the families of hostages who remain unaccounted for, and by senior international figures including the president and vice-president of the USA, to many of us signifies a person no longer fit for high office.”
Daniel Hurst Foreign affairs and defence correspondent
THE GUARDIAN
Mon 9 September 2024
Australia’s foreign affairs minister Penny Wong is ‘coordinating’ with the UK to put pressure on Israel.Photograph: Joel Carrett/EPA
Australia is coordinating with the UK and other allies to “pressure” Israel to alleviate the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and to stop the erosion of longstanding norms protecting aid workers.
The Australian government has also explicitly backed the UK’s decision to curb arms exports to Israel, putting it at odds with the US, which is reported to have privately warned Britain against the move.
The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, told Guardian Australia: “Australia is working with partners – including the UK – to put pressure to see a real change in the situation in Gaza.”
Related: Fact check: is Australia exporting weapons to Israel?
The latest comments are another sign of the Australian government’s hardening rhetoric about the Israeli assault on Gaza, where about 41,000 Palestinians have been killed over the past 11 months and many more have been injured and displaced from their homes.
About 1,200 people were killed in the 7 October Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel and about 250 others were taken hostage, prompting the Australian Labor government to initially back Israel’s “right to self-defence”.
Labor is under increasing political pressure from the Greens and independent challengers in previously safe seats – and from its own rank-and-file members – to take a harder line against Israel’s conduct.
While it has called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire since December, the Labor cabinet has so far resisted calls to describe Israel’s conduct as genocide and to impose sanctions against members of the Israeli government.
The UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, told the House of Commons last week that the government would suspend 30 of the 350 existing arms licences to Israel because of “a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law”.
Wong backed the move. “I welcome the decision of my UK counterpart,” she told Guardian Australia on Monday night.
“It reflects what we have been advocating throughout this conflict. Palestinian civilians cannot be made to pay the price of defeating Hamas.”
Wong reiterated the Albanese government’s position that Australia “has not supplied weapons or ammunition to Israel” for at least the past five years.
“And earlier this year we made clear the only export permit applications approved for items to Israel are for those items returning to Australia for our own defence and law enforcement,” she said. This refers to temporary transfers for repairs and maintenance by Israeli firms.
When the Binskin report into the Israeli killing of the Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six colleagues in Gaza was released, Wong said Australia would work with the UN and the international community to press Israel to reform its coordination arrangements with humanitarian organisations.
A source familiar with the matter said the Australian government was working with countries that shared its concerns that “norms for the protection of aid workers are being eroded, with repercussions for current and future conflicts”.
Australia is expected to say more about these concerns in the lead-up to the next UN general assembly session.
It is also exchanging views with other countries about the facts on the ground and assessments about compliance with international humanitarian law.
Sources said the UK’s announcement on arms exports could provide Australia with “additional elements” to consider.
The US privately warned the UK against suspending arms sales amid claims it could hamper a ceasefire-and-hostage-release deal, according to a report published by the Times of London.
The degree of private discontent within the Biden administration about the UK decision is contested, but one UK Foreign Office source said it was comparable to the US anger when David Cameron as foreign secretary said Israel should not have veto power on recognising Palestinian statehood.
The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, condemned the UK government’s decision as “shameful” and “misguided” and said it would “only embolden Hamas”. Netanyahu said the decision would have no impact on “Israel’s determination to defeat Hamas”.
The UK suspension covers components for military aircraft, helicopters, drones and targeting equipment – but it almost entirely excludes all UK components for the F-35 fighter jet programme.
Related: Britain’s limited Gaza action will do little to curb Israel’s wider territorial ambitions | Dahlia Scheindlin
F-35 components have been exempted, officials say, because they are part of a global programme and the UK does not have unilateral control of these components, which are sent to the US.
Like the UK, the Australian government has faced criticism from pro-Palestine campaigners for its ongoing role in the global F-35 supply chain.
In a Senate estimates hearing in June, Defence officials emphasised that Australia had participated in the supply chain for the past 20 years and that all such parts were “exported to a central repository in the United States”.
The Greens have called on the government to limit this involvement and to stop all two-way military-related trade with Israel, including contracts in which Israeli defence firms supply to Australia.
– additional reporting by Patrick Wintour
US ‘understands the decision we have taken’ on Israeli arms sales, Starmer says
Mon 9 September 2024
Australia’s foreign affairs minister Penny Wong is ‘coordinating’ with the UK to put pressure on Israel.Photograph: Joel Carrett/EPA
Australia is coordinating with the UK and other allies to “pressure” Israel to alleviate the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and to stop the erosion of longstanding norms protecting aid workers.
The Australian government has also explicitly backed the UK’s decision to curb arms exports to Israel, putting it at odds with the US, which is reported to have privately warned Britain against the move.
The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, told Guardian Australia: “Australia is working with partners – including the UK – to put pressure to see a real change in the situation in Gaza.”
Related: Fact check: is Australia exporting weapons to Israel?
The latest comments are another sign of the Australian government’s hardening rhetoric about the Israeli assault on Gaza, where about 41,000 Palestinians have been killed over the past 11 months and many more have been injured and displaced from their homes.
About 1,200 people were killed in the 7 October Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel and about 250 others were taken hostage, prompting the Australian Labor government to initially back Israel’s “right to self-defence”.
Labor is under increasing political pressure from the Greens and independent challengers in previously safe seats – and from its own rank-and-file members – to take a harder line against Israel’s conduct.
While it has called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire since December, the Labor cabinet has so far resisted calls to describe Israel’s conduct as genocide and to impose sanctions against members of the Israeli government.
The UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, told the House of Commons last week that the government would suspend 30 of the 350 existing arms licences to Israel because of “a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law”.
Wong backed the move. “I welcome the decision of my UK counterpart,” she told Guardian Australia on Monday night.
“It reflects what we have been advocating throughout this conflict. Palestinian civilians cannot be made to pay the price of defeating Hamas.”
Wong reiterated the Albanese government’s position that Australia “has not supplied weapons or ammunition to Israel” for at least the past five years.
“And earlier this year we made clear the only export permit applications approved for items to Israel are for those items returning to Australia for our own defence and law enforcement,” she said. This refers to temporary transfers for repairs and maintenance by Israeli firms.
When the Binskin report into the Israeli killing of the Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six colleagues in Gaza was released, Wong said Australia would work with the UN and the international community to press Israel to reform its coordination arrangements with humanitarian organisations.
A source familiar with the matter said the Australian government was working with countries that shared its concerns that “norms for the protection of aid workers are being eroded, with repercussions for current and future conflicts”.
Australia is expected to say more about these concerns in the lead-up to the next UN general assembly session.
It is also exchanging views with other countries about the facts on the ground and assessments about compliance with international humanitarian law.
Sources said the UK’s announcement on arms exports could provide Australia with “additional elements” to consider.
The US privately warned the UK against suspending arms sales amid claims it could hamper a ceasefire-and-hostage-release deal, according to a report published by the Times of London.
The degree of private discontent within the Biden administration about the UK decision is contested, but one UK Foreign Office source said it was comparable to the US anger when David Cameron as foreign secretary said Israel should not have veto power on recognising Palestinian statehood.
The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, condemned the UK government’s decision as “shameful” and “misguided” and said it would “only embolden Hamas”. Netanyahu said the decision would have no impact on “Israel’s determination to defeat Hamas”.
The UK suspension covers components for military aircraft, helicopters, drones and targeting equipment – but it almost entirely excludes all UK components for the F-35 fighter jet programme.
Related: Britain’s limited Gaza action will do little to curb Israel’s wider territorial ambitions | Dahlia Scheindlin
F-35 components have been exempted, officials say, because they are part of a global programme and the UK does not have unilateral control of these components, which are sent to the US.
Like the UK, the Australian government has faced criticism from pro-Palestine campaigners for its ongoing role in the global F-35 supply chain.
In a Senate estimates hearing in June, Defence officials emphasised that Australia had participated in the supply chain for the past 20 years and that all such parts were “exported to a central repository in the United States”.
The Greens have called on the government to limit this involvement and to stop all two-way military-related trade with Israel, including contracts in which Israeli defence firms supply to Australia.
– additional reporting by Patrick Wintour
US ‘understands the decision we have taken’ on Israeli arms sales, Starmer says
Archie Mitchell
THE INDEPENDENT
Sun 8 September 2024
Sir Keir Starmer has insisted the US backed Britain’s decision to suspend some arms sales to Israel, after reports the move had angered Britain’s closest ally.
The prime minister said Washington “understands the decision we have taken” and was told about the move in advance.
He was quizzed about Britain’s decision to suspend around 30 of its 350 arms export licences to Israel after a review found there is a “clear risk” that they could be used to breach international humanitarian law.
Starmer insisted there was no rift with the US over arms exports to Israel (PA)
The decision was announced by foreign secretary David Lammy, who stressed the UK’s ongoing support for Israel and said the decision was “not taken lightly”.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the move as a “shameful decision” by the UK, while reports claimed the US had been caught off guard and angered.
Challenged over the move’s impact on UK-US relations, Sir Keir told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: “You’re wrong about that.”
He added: “We have been talking to the US. We have been talking to the US beforehand and afterwards, and they’re very clear that they’ve got a different legal system, and they understand the decision that we’ve taken.
“So that’s very clear.”
The PM will travel to the US next week (PA)
Sir Keir is making his second visit to the US next week for a meeting with president Joe Biden in Washington DC on 13 September.
The PM said his visit is not related to Britain’s suspension of arms sales to Israel, but because “the situation in Ukraine is becoming ever more pressing, as is the situation in the Middle East”.
He added: “What I want to have the opportunity for is a more strategic discussion about the next few months in relation to Ukraine and in relation to the Middle East.
“So it is that more strategic discussion about the next few months in relation to Ukraine and the Middle East that will be the central focus of the visit.”
It comes a week after Mr Lammy told the House of Commons that a review conducted by the UK government could not “arbitrate on whether or not Israel has breached international humanitarian law” in Gaza, but ministers have a legal duty to review export licences.
He said Israel had a right to defend itself but he said that he was not satisfied with answers after he had raised concerns with the Israeli government.
Rishi Sunak’s government had refused to suspend arms sales to Israel, and shadow foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell said Labour’s decision was “not easy to swallow”.
Mr Lammy said the criteria states the government will not issue export licences if there is a “clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law”.
He told the House of Commons: “It is with regret that I inform the House today that the assessment I have received leaves me unable to conclude anything other than that for certain UK arms exports to Israel there does exist a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.”
'You're Wrong About That': Starmer Claims US Understands Suspension Of Some Arms Sales To Israel
Sun 8 September 2024
Sir Keir Starmer has insisted the US backed Britain’s decision to suspend some arms sales to Israel, after reports the move had angered Britain’s closest ally.
The prime minister said Washington “understands the decision we have taken” and was told about the move in advance.
He was quizzed about Britain’s decision to suspend around 30 of its 350 arms export licences to Israel after a review found there is a “clear risk” that they could be used to breach international humanitarian law.
Starmer insisted there was no rift with the US over arms exports to Israel (PA)
The decision was announced by foreign secretary David Lammy, who stressed the UK’s ongoing support for Israel and said the decision was “not taken lightly”.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the move as a “shameful decision” by the UK, while reports claimed the US had been caught off guard and angered.
Challenged over the move’s impact on UK-US relations, Sir Keir told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: “You’re wrong about that.”
He added: “We have been talking to the US. We have been talking to the US beforehand and afterwards, and they’re very clear that they’ve got a different legal system, and they understand the decision that we’ve taken.
“So that’s very clear.”
The PM will travel to the US next week (PA)
Sir Keir is making his second visit to the US next week for a meeting with president Joe Biden in Washington DC on 13 September.
The PM said his visit is not related to Britain’s suspension of arms sales to Israel, but because “the situation in Ukraine is becoming ever more pressing, as is the situation in the Middle East”.
He added: “What I want to have the opportunity for is a more strategic discussion about the next few months in relation to Ukraine and in relation to the Middle East.
“So it is that more strategic discussion about the next few months in relation to Ukraine and the Middle East that will be the central focus of the visit.”
It comes a week after Mr Lammy told the House of Commons that a review conducted by the UK government could not “arbitrate on whether or not Israel has breached international humanitarian law” in Gaza, but ministers have a legal duty to review export licences.
He said Israel had a right to defend itself but he said that he was not satisfied with answers after he had raised concerns with the Israeli government.
Rishi Sunak’s government had refused to suspend arms sales to Israel, and shadow foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell said Labour’s decision was “not easy to swallow”.
Mr Lammy said the criteria states the government will not issue export licences if there is a “clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law”.
He told the House of Commons: “It is with regret that I inform the House today that the assessment I have received leaves me unable to conclude anything other than that for certain UK arms exports to Israel there does exist a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.”
'You're Wrong About That': Starmer Claims US Understands Suspension Of Some Arms Sales To Israel
Kate Nicholson
HUFFPOST
Sun 8 September 2024
Keir Starmer BBC
Keir Starmer has suggested that the decision to suspend some arms sales to Israel has not impacted the UK’s relationship with the US.
Labour decided to suspend around 30 arms exports licences – out of a total of around 350 – to the Middle Eastern country last week.
It came after a government review found there was as “clear risk” of the equipment being used to break international humanitarian law in Gaza.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahusaid “shameful” move would “embolden Hamas”.
The US’s National Security Council spokesman, John Kirby, responded to the move saying the States has not determined any violation of international humanitarian law itself, and that it would continue “to do what we have to do to support Israel’s defensive capabilities”.
He added: “We’ll let other nations decide for themselves if they’re going to support Israel and to what degree. That’s what sovereignty is all about.”
And in Starmer’s first major interview since being elected into No.10, the PM denied any diplomatic tensions.
Referring to Starmer’s upcoming trip to the White House, the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg said: “Now it’s no secret that your decision to suspend some arms sales to Israel has not gone down very well across the Atlantic.
“It has not made the UK government very popular with its closest ally, the United States.”
“You’re wrong about that,” Starmer said.
“So you’re saying the US agrees with it?” The presenter replied.
The PM claimed: “We’ve been talking to the US beforehand, and afterwards, and they’re very clear that they’ve got a different legal system and they understand the decision that we’ve taken.
“So, that’s very clear.”
The US is Israel’s largest ally, and has remained staunchly supportive of the country throughout its war in Gaza, against Palestinian militants Hamas.
Matt Miller, a spokesman for the US Department of State, said last week: “The US is not going to make an assessment under the UK standard. We will make our determination based on US law.”
He added: “[The UK government] had a legal framework that they needed to apply, they applied that legal framework and it led to this decision. It’s of course appropriate for them to make their own legal judgments based on their system and their laws.”
Starmer also told the BBC that his visit to the States is unrelated to the arms suspension.
He said: “The reason I’m actually going and having the visit is not about that at all. It’s because the situation in Ukraine is becoming ever more pressing, as is the situation in the Middle East.
“I’ve obviously had a number of discussions with President Biden, both in person and on the phone, and other allies – France, Germany, Italy, Nato allies, about the tactical decisions we have to make in relation to Ukraine and the Middle East.”
He said their actions have been coordinated so far, but he also wants “to have the opportunity for a more strategic discussion” about both wars.
Kuenssberg then asked if he was “relieved and excited” that US President Joe Biden had been replaced by his Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee ahead of the November elections in the US.
He dodged that question and said: “They’re our sister party and of course it’s really good to see the election developing as it is in the US.
“I’ll be very clear, as the prime minister of the United Kingdom, I’ll deal with whoever the American people elect in as their president.
“But I think it’s very important to remember, particularly for Ukraine and the Middle East, the next few weeks and months are critically important, and therefore it’s important for me to speak to President Biden to speak about our shared response, the response of our allies, to to the pressing immediate issues but also to the more strategic, long-term issues.”
Sun 8 September 2024
Keir Starmer BBC
Keir Starmer has suggested that the decision to suspend some arms sales to Israel has not impacted the UK’s relationship with the US.
Labour decided to suspend around 30 arms exports licences – out of a total of around 350 – to the Middle Eastern country last week.
It came after a government review found there was as “clear risk” of the equipment being used to break international humanitarian law in Gaza.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahusaid “shameful” move would “embolden Hamas”.
The US’s National Security Council spokesman, John Kirby, responded to the move saying the States has not determined any violation of international humanitarian law itself, and that it would continue “to do what we have to do to support Israel’s defensive capabilities”.
He added: “We’ll let other nations decide for themselves if they’re going to support Israel and to what degree. That’s what sovereignty is all about.”
And in Starmer’s first major interview since being elected into No.10, the PM denied any diplomatic tensions.
Referring to Starmer’s upcoming trip to the White House, the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg said: “Now it’s no secret that your decision to suspend some arms sales to Israel has not gone down very well across the Atlantic.
“It has not made the UK government very popular with its closest ally, the United States.”
“You’re wrong about that,” Starmer said.
“So you’re saying the US agrees with it?” The presenter replied.
The PM claimed: “We’ve been talking to the US beforehand, and afterwards, and they’re very clear that they’ve got a different legal system and they understand the decision that we’ve taken.
“So, that’s very clear.”
The US is Israel’s largest ally, and has remained staunchly supportive of the country throughout its war in Gaza, against Palestinian militants Hamas.
Matt Miller, a spokesman for the US Department of State, said last week: “The US is not going to make an assessment under the UK standard. We will make our determination based on US law.”
He added: “[The UK government] had a legal framework that they needed to apply, they applied that legal framework and it led to this decision. It’s of course appropriate for them to make their own legal judgments based on their system and their laws.”
Starmer also told the BBC that his visit to the States is unrelated to the arms suspension.
He said: “The reason I’m actually going and having the visit is not about that at all. It’s because the situation in Ukraine is becoming ever more pressing, as is the situation in the Middle East.
“I’ve obviously had a number of discussions with President Biden, both in person and on the phone, and other allies – France, Germany, Italy, Nato allies, about the tactical decisions we have to make in relation to Ukraine and the Middle East.”
He said their actions have been coordinated so far, but he also wants “to have the opportunity for a more strategic discussion” about both wars.
Kuenssberg then asked if he was “relieved and excited” that US President Joe Biden had been replaced by his Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee ahead of the November elections in the US.
He dodged that question and said: “They’re our sister party and of course it’s really good to see the election developing as it is in the US.
“I’ll be very clear, as the prime minister of the United Kingdom, I’ll deal with whoever the American people elect in as their president.
“But I think it’s very important to remember, particularly for Ukraine and the Middle East, the next few weeks and months are critically important, and therefore it’s important for me to speak to President Biden to speak about our shared response, the response of our allies, to to the pressing immediate issues but also to the more strategic, long-term issues.”
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