Gaza: UK government position on arms sales ‘deeply hypocritical’

Plaid Cymru reiterate call for suspension of arms exports to Israel.

Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader, Liz Saville Roberts MP has today (Tuesday 27 February) described the UK Government’s position on arms sales to Israel “deeply hypocritical”.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said on 20 February that “we are calling for a stop to the fighting right now”.

However, the UK is continuing to licence arms to Israel. A Ministry of Defence contract dated 17 January represents the first time Britain has struck a deal with Elbit’s UK subsidiary since Israel began retaliatory attacks on Gaza following the 7 October attacks by Hamas.

Elbit reportedly supplies up to 85% of Israel’s drones and land-based military equipment, describing its Hermes 450 drones – which have been used by Israel for strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza in recent months – as “the backbone of the Israeli Defence Forces”.

Ms Saville Roberts said it was “deeply hypocritical” to continue arms export licences while calling for a cessation in violence.

The Minister for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell said in response to the SNP spokesperson Brendan O’Hara that “Britain has the toughest weapons regulation and arms export regime in the world.”

Speaking in the House of Commons, Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader, Liz Saville Roberts MP said:

“The Foreign Secretary has called for “a stop to the fighting right now” .

 “But the Ministry of Defence signed a contract with arms manufacturer Elbit on 17 January. This is a company which reportedly supplies up to 85% of Israel’s drones and land-based military equipment.

“The Minister called for advice in looking at how arms are exported. Does he not agree that in light of this the UK’s approach appears to be deeply hypocritical. What advice does he need to stop the sale of arms?”

 In response, the Minister said that the Government had already made their position clear on arms sales.