LONDON: Government ministers in the UK have found no reason to suspend weapons exports to Israel after reviewing the latest three-month period of the Gaza war.
The review of evidence covered the three months up to April 24, following an earlier examination that reported on Israel Defense Forces activity until the end of January, The Guardian reported.
Israel’s killing of three UK aid workers attached to the World Central Kitchen took place in past periods reviewed by ministers.
The reviews are sent to Foreign Secretary David Cameron and then forwarded with advice to Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch, who signs off on the final decision.
The UK previously warned against a major Israeli invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza, describing the strategy as a potential breach of international law. However, the latest review does not cover the recent outbreak of violence in the city.
Government ministers have refused to call for an end to Israel’s southern offensive, but say the deaths of 45 Palestinians in a designated safe zone last week should be investigated by a transparent inquiry.
A statement from the UK Foreign Office said: “As required by the UK’s robust arms export control regime, the foreign secretary has now reviewed the most recent advice about the situation in Gaza and Israel’s conduct of their military campaign.
“The business secretary has therefore decided our position on export licences remains unchanged. This is consistent with the advice ministers have received. As ever, we will keep the position under review.
“The UK operates a robust and thorough assessment of arms export licence applications against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria. These criteria include that we will not grant an export licence if there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.”
The UK decision to continue arms sales appears to contradict the recent move by International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
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UK to continue arms sales to Israel after latest review
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UK to continue arms sales to Israel after latest review
- Govt ministers advised on 3-month period of fighting in Gaza up to April 24
- Decision appears to contradict ICC issuing of arrest warrant for Israeli PM
Tunisian opponents go on collective hunger strike to support jailed figure
Ben Mbarek launched a hunger strike last week to protest his detention since February 2023
Hazgui said “the family would also launch a hunger strike beginning tomorrow“
TUNIS: Prominent Tunisian opposition figures including Rached Ghannouchi said Friday they would go on hunger strike in solidarity with a jailed politician whose health they say has severely deteriorated after nine days without food.
Jawhar Ben Mbarek, co-founder of the National Salvation Front, Tunisia’s main opposition alliance, launched a hunger strike last week to protest his detention since February 2023.
In April, he was sentenced to 18 years behind bars on charges of “conspiracy against state security” and “belonging to a terrorist group” in a mass trial criticized by rights groups.
Members of Ben Mbarek’s family and leaders from opposition Ennahdha and Al Joumhouri parties said they would join the strike.
“Jawhar is in a worrisome condition, and his health is deteriorating,” said Ezzeddine Hazgui, his father and a veteran activist, during a press conference in Tunis.
Hazgui said “the family would also launch a hunger strike beginning tomorrow,” without specifying which relatives would take part.
“We will not forgive (President) Kais Saied,” he said.
Rights groups have warned of a sharp decline in civil liberties in the North African country since a sweeping power grab by Saied in July 2021.
Many of his critics are currently behind bars.
Ghannouchi, the 84-year-old leader of the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party who is also serving hefty prison sentences, said he joined the protest on Friday, according to a post on his official Facebook page.
Ghannouchi said his hunger strike sought to support Ben Mbarek, but also to “defend freedoms in the country.”
Centrist Al Joumhouri party leader Issam Chebbi, who is also behind bars, announced he launched a hunger strike on Friday as well.
Wissam Sghaier, another leader in Al Joumhouri, said some members of the party would follow suit.
Sghaier said the party’s headquarters in the capital would serve as a gathering point for anyone willing to join.
Relatives and a delegation from the Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH) visited Ben Mbarek at the Belli Civil Prison where he is held southeast of Tunis and reported a “serious deterioration of his state.”
Many gathered near the prison to demand Ben Mbarek’s release.
The LTDH said there have been “numerous attempts” to persuade Ben Mbarek to suspend the hunger strike, but “he refused and said he was committed to maintain it until the injustice inflicted upon him is lifted.”
On Wednesday, prison authorities denied in a statement that the health of any prisoners had deteriorated because of a hunger strike, without naming Ben Mbarek.
Hazgui said “the family would also launch a hunger strike beginning tomorrow“
TUNIS: Prominent Tunisian opposition figures including Rached Ghannouchi said Friday they would go on hunger strike in solidarity with a jailed politician whose health they say has severely deteriorated after nine days without food.
Jawhar Ben Mbarek, co-founder of the National Salvation Front, Tunisia’s main opposition alliance, launched a hunger strike last week to protest his detention since February 2023.
In April, he was sentenced to 18 years behind bars on charges of “conspiracy against state security” and “belonging to a terrorist group” in a mass trial criticized by rights groups.
Members of Ben Mbarek’s family and leaders from opposition Ennahdha and Al Joumhouri parties said they would join the strike.
“Jawhar is in a worrisome condition, and his health is deteriorating,” said Ezzeddine Hazgui, his father and a veteran activist, during a press conference in Tunis.
Hazgui said “the family would also launch a hunger strike beginning tomorrow,” without specifying which relatives would take part.
“We will not forgive (President) Kais Saied,” he said.
Rights groups have warned of a sharp decline in civil liberties in the North African country since a sweeping power grab by Saied in July 2021.
Many of his critics are currently behind bars.
Ghannouchi, the 84-year-old leader of the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party who is also serving hefty prison sentences, said he joined the protest on Friday, according to a post on his official Facebook page.
Ghannouchi said his hunger strike sought to support Ben Mbarek, but also to “defend freedoms in the country.”
Centrist Al Joumhouri party leader Issam Chebbi, who is also behind bars, announced he launched a hunger strike on Friday as well.
Wissam Sghaier, another leader in Al Joumhouri, said some members of the party would follow suit.
Sghaier said the party’s headquarters in the capital would serve as a gathering point for anyone willing to join.
Relatives and a delegation from the Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH) visited Ben Mbarek at the Belli Civil Prison where he is held southeast of Tunis and reported a “serious deterioration of his state.”
Many gathered near the prison to demand Ben Mbarek’s release.
The LTDH said there have been “numerous attempts” to persuade Ben Mbarek to suspend the hunger strike, but “he refused and said he was committed to maintain it until the injustice inflicted upon him is lifted.”
On Wednesday, prison authorities denied in a statement that the health of any prisoners had deteriorated because of a hunger strike, without naming Ben Mbarek.
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