US expresses outrage over deadly Israeli strike on aid workers in Gaza; World Central Kitchen calls for independent investigation

The UK government is facing mounting pressure to pause weapon sales to Israel, with former UK representative to the United Nations, Sir Mark Lyall Grant, calling it a “significant political and symbolic step.” This comes after 600 lawyers and academics warned that the UK is breaching international law by continuing to arm Israel.

Sir Mark highlighted several developments since government lawyers last analyzed the legality of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, including an ICJ judgment of a plausible risk of genocide, a Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire that Israel has not followed, and a continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

He emphasized that while the UK sells very few weapons to Israel compared to the United States, pausing sales would still be a meaningful gesture. Other European countries like Spain and Belgium have already suspended weapons sales to Israel.

The legal warning given to the UK government, signed by three former Supreme Court justices, also urges ministers to work towards a ceasefire and resume funding to the UNRWA aid agency.

As pressure mounts on the UK government to reassess its arms sales to Israel in light of recent developments, the decision to pause weapon sales could have far-reaching implications both politically and symbolically.