Lord David Cameron, the UK’s Foreign Secretary, has issued a stark warning to Israel, suggesting that British support for the nation is not unconditional.
This comes as further pressure mounts on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the tragic deaths of three British aid workers in an air strike by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
Lord Cameron’s comments, published in the Sunday Times, come six months after the October 7 Hamas attack which ignited the conflict in Gaza and raised questions over Israel’s adherence to international law. Chancellor Rishi Sunak also sent a message to Israel, affirming Britain’s continued support for its right to defend its security, but expressing the UK’s horror at the deaths of the aid workers.
The three Britons who lost their lives in the IDF’s April 1 air strikes on an aid convoy were John Chapman, 57, James “Jim” Henderson, 33, and James Kirby, 47. The IDF labelled the incident a “grave mistake stemming from a serious failure”, leading to the dismissal of two officers.
However, Lord Cameron was clear in his condemnation, stating there is “no doubt where the blame lies”, and insisting: “This must never happen again.”
This Sunday marks the six-month anniversary of the October 7 attack, during which Hamas militants breached the Gaza-Israel barrier and launched attacks on military bases and civilian communities. The attack resulted in over 1,100 fatalities, with an additional 250 people taken hostage by Hamas, around 130 of whom remain captive.
The Gaza Strip’s military action by Israel, which was the catalyst, has led to over 33,000 Palestinian deaths according to the Hamas-run health authority in the territory. This has also resulted in a mass displacement of people and a humanitarian crisis.
The Prime Minister stated that “Israeli wounds are still unhealed” and demanded the return of hostages by Hamas.
This Sunday marks the six-month anniversary of the October 7 attack, during which Hamas militants breached the Gaza-Israel barrier and launched attacks on military bases and civilian communities. The attack resulted in over 1,100 fatalities, with an additional 250 people taken hostage by Hamas, around 130 of whom remain captive.
Chancellor Sunak added: “We continue to stand by Israel’s right to defeat the threat from Hamas terrorists and defend their security. But the whole of the UK is shocked by the bloodshed, and appalled by the killing of brave British heroes who were bringing food to those in need.”
He further stated that the UK had been making every effort to deliver aid into Gaza, while calling for an immediate pause in the fighting for humanitarian reasons, “leading to a long-term sustainable ceasefire”.
The Government has announced that a Royal Navy ship will be deployed to the eastern Mediterranean to help establish a new sea corridor for supplies, along with £9.7 million in UK funding.
David Lammy, Labour’s shadow foreign secretary, demanded the return of Israeli hostages and condemned the “intolerable death and destruction” caused by the IDF’s military campaign.
However, unlike the Prime Minister, he called for “an immediate ceasefire”.
In recent weeks, the Government has faced pressure to disclose whether it has received legal advice on continuing arms sales to Israel.
Mr Lammy has firmly stated that the Government must “unequivocally commit to complying with international law in this conflict, including following the licensing criteria governing arms sales”.
