Labour MP says UK gives Israel ‘impunity’ to ‘trample international law’

Allin-Khan asked the PM, “Why he allows Israel to get away with it unchallenged and why he continues to act as a bystander to such horror.”

In response, Rishi Sunak told the Commons that he supported Israel’s right to defend itself but that he is concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

“I do support Israel’s right to defend itself and remove the threat that Hamas – the terrorist organisation – poses to its people. But I am also deeply concerned about the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza”.

“We must see further action to ensure more aid gets to people who desperately need it. The Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings must be opened to allow more aid in.

Sunak said the UK government was doing everything it could to get aid to people in Gaza.

“We’re doing everything we can, trebling our investment, trying to get aid in by land, air and sea, and currently working with allies to build a temporary peer.”

Labour MP Richard Burgon pressed Sunak on arms sales to Israel.

Labour MP for Leeds East, Richard Burgon, demanded that the PM end UK arms sales to Israel (Photo: UK Parliament)[Missing Credit]

“30,000 Palestinian deaths [are] not enough to move the Prime Minister to end arms sales to Israel.”

“What on Earth would be enough to finally move this Prime Minister into the same position as the majority of the British public and end arms sale to Israel?” the Labour MP for Leeds East asked PMQs.

Sunak said the UK government did not directly sell arms to Israel, but it granted licenses to weapons companies based on legal advice.

“We do regularly review advice to ensure compliance with international law [...] Our position with regard to export license is unchanged following the most recent assessment and it is indeed in line with other partners,” the PM said.