According to the Independent news reports, Boris Johnson has criticized Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy over the UK government's decision to suspend some arms exports to Israel. Johnson questioned whether Starmer and Lammy “want Hamas to win,” suggesting that their actions amount to abandoning Israel.
On X, Johnson stated: “Hamas is still holding many innocent Jewish hostages while Israel tries to prevent a repeat of the October 7 massacre. Why are Lammy and Starmer abandoning Israel? Do they want Hamas to win?”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the UK's suspension of around 30 arms export licenses, labeling the decision as “shameful” and underscoring that it will not affect Israel’s resolve to defeat Hamas, the terrorist organization responsible for the deaths of over 1,200 people, including 14 British citizens, on October 7.
Netanyahu added: “Just as Britain’s heroic stand against the Nazis is seen today as vital for our common civilization, so too will history judge Israel’s stand against Hamas and Iran’s axis of terror.”
The UK government’s move to suspend arms sales follows concerns that the equipment could breach international humanitarian laws regarding the treatment of Palestinian detainees and the provision of aid to Gaza. Foreign Secretary Lammy defended the decision, noting that while the UK cannot arbitrate whether Israel has violated international law, it has a legal duty to review export licenses. He emphasized that while Israel has the right to defend itself, he was not satisfied with the responses from the Israeli government.
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis criticized the suspension, stating that it “beggars belief” given the current situation and arguing that it feeds falsehoods about Israel’s adherence to international law. He added that the decision could encourage shared enemies of democratic nations.
Defence Secretary John Healey, however, assured that the suspension would not significantly impact Israel’s security. He explained that he had informed Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant about the suspension beforehand, maintaining that the UK remains committed to supporting Israel’s right to self-defense.
Some Labour MPs are calling for further action, including a complete suspension of arms exports to Israel. Left-wing MP Beth Winter urged maintaining pressure until all arms sales are halted, while veteran MP Diane Abbott suggested ending the sale of components for F-35 fighter jets, citing their lethal capabilities.