Britain must consider halting its sale of arms to Israel — the deaths of seven aid workers must make us think
Those who died will be remembered for the heroism with which they undertook their duties. But this terribly sad incident raises deeper questions about our own involvement.
It has been almost six months since Israel and its people were so brutally attacked by Hamas. This column has argued consistently throughout that Israel has a right to defend itself but only within the parameters of international law; that position will not change. What has also been invariably discussed in this column is the maintaining of support for the two-state solution: one which recognises, in equal measure, a free state of Israel standing alongside a sovereign Palestinian state, and one where the peoples are treated with the humanitarian dignity that they deserve. Another such consistency expressed on these pages is the need for emergency aid to be delivered in Gaza; watching the scenes on television of children hungry and starving speaks to one’s inner emotions. More broadly, how can one not be moved by everything that has happened in the Middle East — Hamas’s appalling onslaught on October 7 last year, the present humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the future picture of the region?
It is this final point — the delivery of aid to Gaza — to which I turn my thoughts, especially of the news of recent days. The heroism of those who are ensuring, despite all the risks involved (of which there are many), that aid can reach those in Gaza is truly admirable. In the face of such inhumane conditions, where hunger and famine are all too frequent, the work of those who are delivering food, water and medical supplies should be recognised considerably more than it is at present.
But as we have seen in recent days, the risks of such courageous acts can prove fatal. The news that seven aid workers, three of whom were Britons, were killed on Monday by an Israeli air strike in Gaza has been nothing short of devastating, in particular for all of the families concerned. The victims all worked for the World Central Kitchen (WCK), a charity which is working to deliver aid to Gaza. The solace for their families is that their loved ones were working with dedication and persistence right up until the very end to undergo their bold and brave duties in delivering aid to the people of Gaza.
Following this tragic incident, much like the whole of this conflict, it has given pause for thought as to the actions of the UK, along with the US and other players. Specifically, as a result of the seven aid workers who were killed earlier this week, it brings into question our own involvement regarding the arms with which we provide Israel.
Imagine this extremely plausible possibility: the seven aid workers were killed by an Israeli air strike — but, as we know, whose weapons are being supplied and aided by countries like ours. (I.e., the arms with which we provide Israel assisted and aided them in killing three British citizens who were delivering aid to Gaza.) There is no shortage of shock at the goings-on of this conflict but this would undoubtedly bring stain on this country; that the weapons we supplied to Israel helped them kill three Britons. Moreover, we must be aware of international obligations too in our selling of arms to Israel, especially as the discussion intensifies regarding the possibility of genocide in Gaza.
Individuals may question the hesitancy with which some have called for the end of arms sales to Israel when what has been occurring in Gaza has been clear for all to see all along over the past few months. This is a plausible point — the killing of seven aid workers on Monday makes this issue even more prominent, in particular, when considering three of the seven were Britons.
From October last year when Hamas demonstrated its brutality, the broad consensus in this country, in my view, has been thus: Israel has every right to defend itself from attack but it must consistently fall within the parameters of international law. Of course, we all wish to see Hamas wholly defeated for its evil is evident; and the events of October 7, where babies were tortured and raped, were utterly appalling. But so too is the situation in Gaza — that is why the need for aid to be delivered to Gaza, as the heroic seven were seeking to do before they were killed, must continue and must be ramped up.
What the government here at home must now do is disclose the advice they have received in relation to Israel’s compliance with humanitarian law, for this issue is most pressing; and they should also immediately reveal the involvement of our country in the sale of arms to Israel. The killing of three of our own citizens who only sought to provide the people of Gaza with the aid they need has significantly raised the prominence of the issue of arms sales. Questions need to be asked and answered of Israel following Monday’s air strike — and of our own country, about our involvement in arms sales, especially after Monday’s tragedy. The clock is ticking; the time has come for urgent answers.