Keir Starmer angrily rules out Israel arms sales ban
Independent MPs Zarah Sultan and Richard Burgon have their call for Israel arms ban rejected
Keir Starmer has emphatically ruled out implementing a total ban on arms sales to Israel, insisting this would be the “wrong position” and “never” one that he would support.
The Prime Minister remarks came in response to calls for a total ban from the independent MPs Richard Burgon and Zarah Sultana, who both lost the Labour whip in July for backing an SNP motion on welfare policy.
Sultana, the MP for Coventry South, used a debate on the October 7 Hamas attack to accused Israel of a “genocidal assault” in Gaza, “violence” in the West Bank and an “invasion” of Lebanon.
She then asked if the PM would “do what is morally and legally right and end the Government’s complicity in war crimes by banning all arms sales to Israel, including F35 fighter jets, not just 30 licences – yes or no?”
Starmer replied: “No. But it is a really serious point.
“Banning all sales would mean none for defensive purposes.
“None for defensive purposes on the anniversary of October 7 and days after a huge attack by Iran into Israel would be a wrong position for this Government and I will not take it.”
Leeds East MP Burgon then asked “to get Israeli leaders to back a ceasefire, don’t we need to see tougher action – including an end to all arms sales, as recent international court rulings demand?”
Starmer replied:”“I don’t agree with a complete ban on arms sales.
“That would include a ban on arms being used for defensive purposes.
“Looking at the attack only a few days ago by Iran, I think the House will understand my position on this and the position of many across the House.”
Starmer also back calls for the police to take firm action against the pro-Hezbollah supporters exposed by Jewish News at last Saturday’s Palestine demo, after it was raised in the Commons by Tory leadership contender Robert Jenrick.
In a statement marking one year on from the October 7 Hamas attacks, Starmer said: “We support Israel’s right to defend herself against Iran’s aggression in line with international law.”
But he added: “The region cannot endure another year of this.
“Civilians on all sides have suffered too much. All sides must now step back from the brink and find the courage of restraint.”
He said Hamas’ actions on October 7 were supported by Iran, which played a “malign role” in the region, also backing Hezbollah militants in Lebanon and the Yemen-based Houthis.
The prime minister said the first anniversary of the attack was a “day of grief” for the wider Middle East.
“Over 41,000 Palestinians have been killed, tens of thousands orphaned, almost two million displaced, facing disease, starvation, desperation, without proper healthcare or shelter.
“It is a living nightmare and it must end.”
The UK Government had previously suspended around 30 arms exports to Israel over concerns they could be used in violations of international humanitarian law in the Gaza conflict.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
