MPs to hear from ex-soldier on Gaza deaths in arms sales probe
A parliamentary committee examining UK weapons exports to Israel is facing criticism for giving a platform to an outspoken military commentator who has called the killing of civilians in Gaza “necessary”, and a controversial pro-Israel advocacy organisation.
MPs on the business and trade committee are set to hear evidence on Wednesday from Colonel Richard Kemp, a former British army officer who has been a vocal supporter of Israel’s war against Hamas, and Natasha Hausdorff, the legal director at UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI).
Chris Doyle, director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, told Middle East Eye: “It is extraordinary that this important committee when dealing with an issue of profound significance selects two of the most anti-Palestinian figures imaginable, but not one representative of a major agency that has expertise on the issue.”
The committee will also hear from two members of the House of Lords which have called on the government to halt weapons sales because of concerns about possible Israeli war crimes.
One of them, Lord Sumption, is among three former Supreme Court judges who have said they believe the government is breaching international law by continuing to permit arms exports to Israel.