PM says Israel is ‘committed and capable of complying with humanitarian law’

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said Israel is “committed and capable of complying” with international humanitarian law.

During PMQs, Labour MP Andy Slaughter said: “We know the Prime Minister has received advice about the legality of the Israel/Gaza war, that he’s had time to consider it, that Government can and do publish such advice, so will he tell the House what steps he is taking to act on that advice in reviewing UK arms sales, in supporting proceedings in the ICJ (International Court of Justice) and ICC (International Criminal Court), and in exercising the UK vote in the UN security council?”

Sunak said: “We continue to call for Israel to respect international humanitarian law and for civilians to be protected. Too many civilians have been killed and we want to see Israel limit its operations to military targets, these are points that both I and the Foreign Secretary have repeatedly made to Prime Minister Netanyahu.

“We have previously assessed that Israel is committed and capable of complying with international humanitarian law, and of course we always keep this under review.”

Later in PMQs, Labour MP Tahir Ali asked: “Given the Prime Minister and his Government’s days are numbered and will soon be in opposition, will he use the small amount of time available to him and join the 138 United Nation member states and recognise the state of Palestine?”

Sunak said: “Our position has been consistently clear that we will recognise the state of Palestine when it makes most beneficial sense for the overall peace process.”