Rishi Sunak must stop all arms sales to Israel

This week, millions of people across the country are watching with horror and disbelief the deteriorating situation in Rafah, southern Gaza.

Not only because of the ongoing scenes of violence as Israel undertakes a ground invasion that will cost lives, but also because of the British government’s failure to speak out or take action.

The actions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his hardliners to achieve, in their words, a “total victory” are simply unjustifiable. Over 34,000 people in Gaza have already died, most of the victims are women and children.

Almost 70% of homes were damaged or destroyed – many bomb victims are believed to still be buried in the rubble.

Over a million displaced people live in tents and emergency shelters in and around Rafah.

The situation is serious and Israel’s aggression will only make things worse.

But while people across the UK and around the world are taking to the streets en masse to raise their voices and organize pressure and protest in their communities, our government has not taken nearly enough action.

When pressed, the prime minister said he was “deeply concerned” about the full-scale military intervention, but was silent on what he planned to do about those concerns, other than simply asking Netanyahu politely.

And while Sunak is right that Israel has the right to defend itself, it does not have the right to break international law – and senior members of the British government have themselves admitted that “it is not easy to see” such a devastating one Rafah’s ground offensive could potentially be compatible with international humanitarian law.

Even Foreign Secretary David Cameron himself suggested back in February that it would be difficult to limit the impact of such a move by the Israeli government on military targets and to adequately protect civilians.

If there are red lines, now would be the time to actually stick to them.

Continuing the same policy of tacit support for the Israeli government’s actions is immoral.

In Rafah there is hardly any electricity, sanitation, healthcare, water or food. Non-governmental organizations have warned that a ground invasion at this time would lead to a catastrophic “complete collapse” of humanitarian assistance.

The UK cannot continue to look the other way – and worse, become actively complicit – while potential atrocities are committed with our support.

The British government must now use all tools at its disposal to counter the violence and help increase global pressure on both Hamas and the Israeli government for an immediate bilateral ceasefire, the unconditional release of the hostages and access for humanitarian aid.

That starts with Sunak taking the urgent step of suspending all arms sales and export licenses to Israel.

The rules clearly state that exports may not be given the green light if there is a clear risk that they could lead to a violation of international humanitarian law.

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The government cannot continue to cover their ears, turn a blind eye and bury their head in the sand.

You must act now to stop every single weapons component made in the UK being sent to Israel – like the F35 bomber parts being manufactured on my constituents’ doorstep at the L3Harris factory in Brighton.

Second, the government must resume funding for the United Nations Palestinian Relief Agency (UNWRA) without further delay.

The UN has conducted its investigation into UNWRA’s neutrality and its findings refute claims that many of its staff belong to terrorist groups. Yet no action is being taken, even as the World Food Program warns that there is now full-scale famine in northern Gaza and northern Gaza. The United Nations says Israel’s aid restrictions could amount to starvation as a method of war, a war crime represents.

Thirdly, the UK should send a clear message to the Israeli government that breaching international law will have consequences, whether through clear condemnation of an attack, supporting South Africa in its case at the International Court of Justice or, more generally, suspension sanctions broader preferential trade.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the UK must continue not to take part in global efforts to end the violence. We have significant influence with allies across the EU, the United States and beyond, and have a seat on the UN Security Council.

We have one of the largest diplomatic networks in the world. Our vaunted soft power, or what is left of it, must now be used to the fullest extent possible to support and build international coalitions for peace and justice.

Sunak may not be long out of his prime as Prime Minister, but if he fails to recognize the gravity of this moment and do everything in his power to stop further catastrophic violence, it will define his term as British leader, which has turned around He supports the mass suffering of a desperate and innocent people.

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