British charities call on government to end all arms transfers to Israel

Eighteen charities are calling on the UK to end all arms transfers to Israel after the government suspended 30 out of 250 export licences to Israel on Monday. 

The charities said in a joint press release on Wednesday that the government's decision was a "welcome step forward" but "insufficient". 

"For eleven months, humanitarian organisations have raised the alarm about Israel's potential violations of international law, including the use of starvation and denial of water as weapons of war, attacks on civilian and so-called 'safe' areas, and targeting of aid operations," the statement, signed by groups including Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), Oxfam GB and Save the Children UK, said. 

"Meanwhile, Israel's denial of access for UN mechanisms, human rights experts and journalists, and its rampant disinformation against UN agencies, has dramatically undermined efforts to document its violations. 

"In that vein, we are deeply concerned that, in the two months since the new UK Government was elected, it has failed to engage with UK-based humanitarian organisations working in Gaza at a Ministerial level to seek their input on these issues."

The groups added that it was "beyond time" for London to recognise Israel's "disregard for international humanitarian law".

"As a collective group of humanitarian, development, human rights and faith charities working for Palestinian human rights, wellbeing and dignity, we reiterate our collective call on the Government to immediately end ALL arms transfers to Israel to prevent their use in violations of international law."