UK Rejects France's Call for Israel Arms Embargo Amid Gaza Conflict
- Defence Secretary John Healey has dismissed calls for an arms embargo on Israel from French President Emmanuel Macron.
- The UK has suspended 30 arms export licenses to Israel due to concerns over potential breaches of international law.
- Healey stressed the importance of reducing civilian casualties in Gaza while supporting Israel's right to self-defense.
In the UK, Defence Secretary John Healey has publicly rejected French President Emmanuel Macron's call for an arms embargo on Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Macron's statement aimed to halt arms exports to Israel to mitigate violence, which led to a sharp response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who labeled Macron a 'disgrace.' Healey clarified that while the UK does not supply arms directly to Israel, it has suspended 30 out of 350 arms export licenses due to concerns they could breach international humanitarian law. He emphasized the need for Israel to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza while recognizing its right to defend itself against terror attacks. Healey's comments come on the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack, highlighting the ongoing diplomatic efforts by the UK government to foster peace in the region despite the complexities and challenges involved.