Boris Johnson, the former prime minister, called for the UK to stop selling arms to Israel, calling it “shameful”.
Seven relief workers were slain on Monday by Israel’s army during airstrikes in Gaza, including three Britons.
The SNP, the Liberal Democrats, and a few Labour and Conservative MPs have all urged the UK to reconsider its support for Israel as a result.
The Foreign Office stated that it reviews recommendations regarding Israel’s compliance with the law, but it maintains confidentiality on this.
Mr. Johnson claimed that ceasing military support from the UK would be “insane” and that doing so would be “willing the military defeat of Israel and the victory of Hamas” in a Daily Mail piece.
The former foreign secretary, Mr. Johnson, wrote: “Remember that Hamas just needs to survive in order to win this fight. Finally, all they have to do is hang on, pick themselves up, and start over.
“That’s victory for Hamas; and that is what these legal experts seem to be asking for.”
This week, over 600 attorneys—including former judges of the Supreme Court—wrote to the government demanding an end to weapon supplies to Israel, citing a “plausible risk of genocide” in Gaza as justification for the UK’s potential breach of international law. The charge of genocide is rejected by Israel as “wholly unfounded”.
Among the World Central Kitchen (WCK) employees who lost their lives during the strikes were three Britons: John Chapman, 57, James “Jim” Henderson, 33, and James Kirby, 47.
WCK founder José Andres asserted that the Israeli military “systematically, car by car” targeted his relief workers because they were aware of their travels.
Two senior military officers were fired by Israeli officials in response to the strikes, which they called a “grave mistake stemming from a serious failure”.
Although Israel was “trying to use precision munitions” and was issuing warnings of their attacks, Mr. Johnson said it was “shattering” to watch the dead.
The UK would carefully evaluate the results of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) report into the event, which was issued on Friday, as Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron had previously stated.
The foreign secretary had “gone into a kind of purdah” over arms sales, according to Mr. Johnson, who accused Lord Cameron of keeping mute on the matter.
Approximately 1,200 people were killed and 253 hostages were taken by Hamas terrorists who assaulted southern Israel on October 7. As a result, a large portion of the Gaza Strip has been destroyed during IDF military operations.
Since then, more than 33,091 Palestinians have died in Gaza, according to the health ministry operated by Hamas.
A UK Foreign Office official responded to Mr. Johnson’s remarks by saying: “Ministers act in accordance with advice on Israel’s adherence to international humanitarian law, for example when considering export licences. We keep advice on Israel’s compliance under review.”
“The advice from the government is confidential in its content.
Approximately 1,200 people were killed and 253 hostages were taken by Hamas terrorists who assaulted southern Israel on October 7. As a result, a large portion of the Gaza Strip has been destroyed during IDF military operations.
Since then, more than 33,091 Palestinians have died in Gaza, according to the health ministry operated by Hamas.
A UK Foreign Office official responded to Mr. Johnson’s remarks by saying: “Ministers act in accordance with advice on Israel’s adherence to international humanitarian law, for example when considering export licences. We keep advice on Israel’s compliance under review.”
“The advice from the government is confidential in its content.