British judges and intelligence experts urge for a stop to Israeli arms sales | Global News

Three former Supreme Court justices have joined more than 600 members of the British legal profession in calling for the government to halt arms sales to Israel, citing concerns of complicity in genocide in Gaza. The call was also supported by two leading intelligence experts, emphasizing the need for Britain to use its leverage to influence Israel and its biggest supporter, the United States, to change course in the conflict.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron has recently toughened his stance on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, stating that Israel must comply with international humanitarian law for Britain to grant export licenses for arms sales. The government is currently reviewing Israel’s adherence to these laws, with a decision expected in the coming days.

Despite mounting pressure, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has resisted immediate calls to halt weapons sales to Israel, citing a careful licensing regime in place. However, the recent killing of seven aid workers, including three British nationals, in Israeli airstrikes has intensified the pressure on the government.

The British legal profession argues that continuing arms sales to Israel could make the UK complicit in genocide and serious breaches of international humanitarian law. Former Supreme Court Justice Jonathan Sumption expressed concerns that the government may have lost sight of its obligations under international law.

While Israel has denied allegations of genocide, former national security adviser Peter Ricketts and ex-MI6 head Alex Younger have called for a ban on arms sales to send a strong message. They believe that leveraging these sales could prompt a reevaluation of Israel’s actions and spark debate in Washington.

The government has previously blocked arms sales to Israel in response to violations of international law, and the current situation has reignited calls for a halt to such transactions. As the debate continues, the UK faces a critical decision on its role in the conflict in Gaza.