Tag: ISRAEL

Ahead of a memorial service for him at Bristol Cathedral this week, his bereaved family has criticized the UK government for failing to contact them since the killing…reports Asian Lite News

The family of a British aid worker killed by an Israeli drone strike in Gaza has demanded an independent legal investigation into his death, the BBC reported on Wednesday.

Israel attacked a World Central Kitchen aid convoy operating in the Palestinian enclave in April, killing seven people, including three Britons. James Kirby, 47, a former serviceman, was killed in the strike.

Ahead of a memorial service for him at Bristol Cathedral this week, his bereaved family has criticized the UK government for failing to contact them since the killing.

They also expressed “surprise” that Israel’s ambassador to the UK or any other Israeli official have yet to offer condolences over the attack.

His cousin Louise Kirby said: “There must be a proper, independent inquiry into this attack on innocent aid workers, and for the evidence to be assessed, if appropriate, in a relevant court of law.

“However, unfortunately, families have had no contact from the UK government since James and his colleagues’ deaths, nor have we received any information as to whether a credible, independent investigation is taking place; or of the results of any investigation if it has taken place.”

Israel said a drone operator “mistakenly” targeted the aid convoy, but WCK, following Israeli protocols, provided the coordinates and planned route of the aid trucks before the journey.

Three missiles were fired at the convoy over a period of five minutes. Survivors of the initial strike moved from truck to truck until all vehicles had been destroyed by the drone, leaving no survivors.

The Israel Defense Forces sacked two officers over the killings and formally reprimanded two senior commanders.

A spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy in London described the attack as “a tragic mistake” in a statement to the BBC. They also expressed their “deepest sorrow” to the Kirby family.

After the attack, Britain’s then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had urged a “thorough and transparent independent investigation.”

But Kirby’s family told the BBC that the government had yet to launch an inquiry into the killings, as they demanded answers.

Louise Kirby said: “I very much hope the prime minister (Keir Starmer) will take our concerns seriously and instigate an appropriate, independent or legal inquiry — not only so we can have transparency and accountability, but so that other British citizens and their families know that their government will act for them, if a foreign state unlawfully kills their loved ones. Any family of a loved one who has been killed needs closure. We need to understand how this disaster could have happened. But this is not just about us. This is about how Britain looks after its own citizens and their families, when a British citizen has been unlawfully killed by another state.”

A government spokesperson said the families of the three slain British aid workers are being supported by police liaison support officers.

They added: “The death of James and his fellow aid workers was horrific and our thoughts remain with their families. Attacks on aid workers are never justified and we remain fully committed to their protection as they support some of the most vulnerable people in the world.”

The spokesperson did not respond to the Kirby family’s demand for an independent investigation into the killings.

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It follows news that the UK’s new Labour government this week banned 30 of about 350 arms export licenses to Israel…reports Asian Lite News

Former Foreign Minister David Cameron was aware that Britain risked complicity in Israeli breaches of international law but refused to suspend weapons transfers to the country, The Guardian reported.

Cameron, who served as foreign minister in the previous Conservative government, was advised by Foreign Office officials in Israel and London that Tel Aviv was in clear breach of international humanitarian law, a former Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office adviser said.

It follows news that the UK’s new Labour government this week banned 30 of about 350 arms export licenses to Israel. The government made the decision based on a memorandum released on Monday warning that British arms may have been used by Israel to breach international law.

But the FCDO source told The Guardian that the same advice was given to the previous government as early as February. “The tragedy has to be considered: How many lives might have been saved if the arms export licenses had been stopped then and not in September, and what the potential ripple effect might have been on how other countries would have reacted in ceasing trade,” they said.

“The advice being sent through to the Foreign Office was clear that the breaches of international humanitarian law by Israel as the occupying power were so obvious that there was a danger of UK complicity if the licenses were not withdrawn.”

The FCDO source added: “Israel highlights vital lessons globally for arms companies and countries which grant export licenses as part of elaborate trade deals.

“The reality is that none of these licenses are granted in isolation of other business and political interests, and are enmeshed with other forms of trade technology exchanges and security equity.”

They said: “Companies also bear a responsibility to respect international humanitarian and criminal law, as do governments. Internally, the Foreign Office does not seem very cohesive, with disputes between humanitarian, legal and political teams, as well as with sections of the Ministry of Defence.”

A member of the previous Conservative government told The Guardian that though the legal advice it received was “in some respects similar” to that published by Labour, it never “said explicitly” that ministers must suspend arms sales.

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This comes after the UK announced to suspend 30 out of 350 arms export licences to Israel…reports Asian Lite News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the British government’s decision to suspend thirty arms licences to Israel, asserting that regardless of the UK’s support, Israel remains resolute in its determination to emerge victorious in this conflict.

“With or without British arms, Israel will win this war and secure our common future,” posted the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel on X.

Denouncing it as a “shameful move that will not change Israel’s determination to defeat Hamas,” he said, “Instead of standing with Israel, a fellow democracy defending itself against barbarism, Britain’s misguided decision will only embolden Hamas.”

Notably, Hamas savagely murdered 1200 people on October 7, including 14 British citizens. Moreover, Hamas is still holding over 100 hostages, including 5 British citizens.

This comes after the UK announced to suspend 30 out of 350 arms export licences to Israel, citing a “clear risk” they could be used in serious breaches of international humanitarian law.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy told parliament on Monday that the partial ban covers items “which could be used in the current conflict in Gaza” against Hamas but did not include parts for F-35 fighter jets, according to Al Jazeera.

“Israel is pursuing a just war with just means, taking unprecedented measures to keep civilians out of harm’s way and comporting fully with international law,” added Netanyahu.

Netanyahu drew a historical parallel, and compared Israel’s battle against Hamas to Britain’s fight against the Nazi regime during World War II, and said, “Just as Britain’s heroic stand against the Nazis is seen today as having been vital in defending our common civilization, so too will history judge Israel’s stand against Hamas and Iran’s axis of terror.”

Netanyahu emphasised that Israel is conducting a just war, utilising just means, while taking unprecedented steps to minimise harm to civilians and adhering to international law.

“Israel is pursuing a just war with just means, taking unprecedented measures to keep civilians out of harm’s way and comporting fully with international law,” he said. (ANI)

UK defends partial Israel arms sales ban

The UK has defended its decision to suspend some arms sales to Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called the decision “shameful”, saying on social media that it “will only embolden Hamas”.

But Husam Zomlot, the Palestinians’ top envoy to the UK, called the partial ban an “important first step” to the UK’s fulfilment of its “legal obligations under domestic and international law”.

On Monday, the UK suspended around 30 out of 350 weapons export licences to Israel.

But Defence Secretary John Healey insisted the UK remained a “staunch ally” of Israel, telling that Israel’s security would not be weakened by the decision. Government ministers say the weapons could be used in Gaza to violate international law. Human rights group Amnesty International UK said the measures were “too limited”.

Others have criticised the timing of the announcement for coming on the same day funerals took place for six hostages killed by Hamas last week.

Healey said it was “agonising” seeing the faces of the dead hostages, but said the timing was “driven by the fact that this was a legal process” and the need to report to Parliament.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on Monday the UK would be suspending 30 out of 350 arms export licences to Israel, affecting equipment such as parts for fighter jets, helicopters and drones.

Healey said these were chosen because they supplement equipment used in Gaza for “offensive purposes”, while the “vast majority of other parts our country exports to Israel are either not related to the conflict or maybe used for Israel’s defence”. UK arms sales to Israel are small in comparison to other allies, contributing just 1% of the country’s defence imports. The UK exports arms to multiple countries including Ukraine, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

The US is by far the largest supplier of arms to Israel, accounting for 69% of its imports of major conventional arms between 2019 and 2023, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

In a statement, Zomlot said that the Palestinian Mission to the UK would “continue working” with the UK government towards a “full arms embargo”.

Amnesty International UK accused the government of “gesture politics”, given less than 10% of arms export licences were suspended.

The charity’s chief executive, Sacha Deshmukh, said the restrictions were “too limited and riddled with loopholes”.

“[The] decision means that while ministers apparently accept that Israel may be committing war crimes in Gaza, [the government] is nevertheless continuing to risk complicity in war crimes, apartheid – and possible genocide – by Israeli forces in Gaza,” he said.

The non-profit organisation has continuously called for a ceasefire and for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza.

On social media, Netanyahu said: “With or without British arms, Israel will win this war and secure our common future. Instead of standing with Israel, a fellow democracy defending itself against barbarism, Britain’s misguided decision will only embolden Hamas.”

Asked about comments made by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson who accused the government of “abandoning Israel”, Healey insisted the UK would support Israel in defending itself if it came under direct attack.

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