Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer today (Tuesday), speaking about the release of British national Emily Damari from Hamas captivity and about the 30 arms licenses for Israel currently in suspension.
Starmer thanked Netanyahu for securing the release of British-Israeli dual citizen Emily Damari and for his efforts in trying to secure the release of the remainder of the hostages.
Netanyahu also spoke with Starmer about the 30 arms licenses for Israel which Britain had suspended months ago. Starmer promised he would conduct an inquiry into the matter.
Four months ago, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that the United Kingdom was suspending 30 out of 350 arms licenses to Israel for fear of "serious" violations of international law.
The suspended licenses include components for fighter aircraft and drone equipment, as well as equipment for ground targeting.
This decision was part of a wave of anti-Israel sanctions and boycotts following months of war in Gaza, including the decision by French President Emanuel Macron to end all arms trade with Israel and even to try and prevent Israeli companies from displaying their wares in major French-hosted arms fairs.
The Biden administration had also suspended or delayed multiple arms shipments and equipment, including heavy smart bombs for aircraft for use against terrorists and terror targets and D-9 Caterpillar bulldozers for unearthing IEDs and neutralizing them.
Germany has so far resisted calls to suspend weapons deliveries to Israel, though some deliveries have nevertheless been delayed due to lawsuits and internal political pressure within the governing coalition.
The Trump administration has reportedly released the hold on arms and equipment conducted by the Biden administration.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said that the government considers the second Trump to be an opportunity for Israel, especially since they see "eye to eye" on the danger presented by Iran.
0 Comments