Foreign Secretary David Lammy told MPs on Monday that Israel had committed a ‘breach of international law’ by blocking aid into Gaza – but No10 distanced itself from the remark
No10 has slapped down David Lammy’s claim that Israel has breached international law by blocking aid into Gaza.
The Foreign Secretary made the remark in the Commons on Monday amid a growing international outcry. But Downing Street rowed back today – saying only that Israel is “at risk” of breaching international law.
The Government has ruled out an arms embargo in response. It comes after Mr Lammy told MPs: “This is a breach of international law.
“Israel quite rightly must defend its own security but we find the lack of aid – it’s now been 15 days since aid got into Gaza – unacceptable, hugely alarming and very worrying.”
No10 has distanced itself from the Foreign Secretary’s words. Asked if he spoke for the Government, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “”So I think, as the Foreign Secretary said, and CDL (Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster) said on the morning round, our position remains that Israel ‘s actions in Gaza are at clear risk of breaching international humanitarian law, and we continue to call on the government of Israel to abide by its international obligations when it comes to humanitarian assistance to the population in Gaza.”
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Overnight Israel launched a wave of airstrikes that reportedly killed more than 400 people, blaming Hamas for not abiding by the ceasefire agreement. The PM’s spokesman said: “In relation to the news overnight, we do not want to see a return to fighting, and the reported civilian casualties resulting from these strikes are appalling.
“More bloodshed is in no-one’s interest, but our priority is urging all parties to return urgently to dialogue to ensure the ceasefire agreement is implemented in full and that the remaining hostages are released.”
sked whether Mr Lammy would correct the record in the House to reflect the Government position, he said: “I’m just reiterating our policy, and I’m just saying that it’s obviously a question for the Foreign Office in relation to the parliamentary issues you raise.”
Earlier Labour frontbencher Pat McFadden said there would be no arms embargo despite the aid blockade. Mr McFadden said the UK would use “whatever diplomatic influence we have” to seek to restore the ceasefire.
Mr McFadden said Mr Lammy had been speaking for the whole of Government. But the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster added: “We don’t impose an arms embargo. We have arms trade with Israel, and you know, that’s not going to result in an embargo.
“But we’ve said very publicly what we think of that idea of collective punishment. We don’t want to see that happening.”
Israel has come under fire for blocking aid flowing into Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of stealing supplies and stealing them “to finance its terror machine”.
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