The Foreign Secretary’s position over Israel’s genocide in Palestine is utterly untenable, says the Scottish Greens human rights spokesperson, Maggie Chapman MSP.
Ms Chapman has called for him to publish legal advice on arms to Israel and resign over his repeated failures to act as warnings grow that UK arms sales to Israel are breaching export laws.
UK arms export criteria says a weapon can not be sold if there is a “clear risk” that it “might” be used in a serious breach of International Humanitarian Law.
This week 600 legal experts called for the UK government to end arms sales, including three former Supreme Court justices.
UK government statistics, compiled by Campaign Against Arms Trade, show that in the last 10 years the UK has licensed at least £500 million worth of arms to Israel.
Ms Chapman said:
“The Foreign Secretary has allowed arms to keep flowing to Israel despite widespread evidence of serious war crimes, collective punishment and genocide.Â
“Israeli forces have shown a total disregard for human rights and international law, and a contempt for Palestinians.
“They have committed some of the most horrendous war crimes of the 21st century.Â
“One reason they have been able to do this is because of the shameful support they have received from complicit governments like the UK.
“Even Tory MPs must have limits, and must know that David Cameron’s position is utterly untenable.
“He has helped to enable six months of grotesque atrocities and mass killing.
“He has seen what is happening and has chosen to arm and support it every step of the way.
“He must publish all of the legal advice that the government has received, and, if he has any concern about the rights and lives of Palestinians he must recognise the damage he has done and resign.”
