Attorney general says UK must be sure arms sold to Israel not used illegally

The British government's attorney general has made a significant intervention in the ongoing review of whether to ban arms sales to Israel.

Richard Hermer told Foreign Office officials they need to be certain that weapons have not been used to breach international humanitarian law if they will continue to be sold to Israel, the Guardian reported on Sunday.

Hermer, an experienced lawyer who has often spoken out against Israeli breaches of international law, was appointed attorney general by the new Labour government just days after its election win in early July.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said he commissioned new legal advice into Israel's compliance with international humanitarian law in its war on Gaza on his first day in office.

In late July, sources told MEE that the government planned to introduce restrictions to arms sales on the final day of parliament before summer recess.

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