Keir Starmer caved to the mob when he cancelled arms licences to Israel – and his weakness undermines UK interests
WHY did Labour make the extraordinary decision to single out and cancel arms licenses to Israel, but not to Saudi Arabia, Qatar or other countries in the Middle East? It is because they are afraid.
They gave in to the mob and threw UK interests under the bus.
Whether it is the unions or protesters, Labour has shown time and time again that they have no courage and will take the knee when things get heated.
In 2020, we saw Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner actually kneel in support of the Black Lives Matter movement without any serious understanding of the divisive ideology that portrays blackness as victimhood and whiteness as oppression.
In February, we saw chaotic scenes in Parliament when a vote for a ceasefire in Gaza was compromised by Labour MPs who were intimidated by the anti-Israel lobby.
Now that Labour is in government, the consequences of their weakness will be far greater.
Labour’s decision to suspend 30 export licences to Israel not only panders to the mob, but undermines the UK’s national interests, upsetting allies like the US and putting at risk our critical defence and intelligence relationship with Israel.
When I was Business and Trade Secretary, I made a decision to maintain all existing licences for arms exports to Israel.
We had numerous protests outside my department.
On one occasion, the building was stormed.
The security guards and some of my staff were pushed and shoved around.
It was threatening and scary for all of us.
But that did not stop us from doing the right thing.
The truth is we have one of the most robust export control systems in the world and I considered several rounds of legal assessments.
Union-backed civil servants threatened to stop work and go on strike.
My response was not to make concessions but to make it clear that they were there to deliver the government’s agenda, not their own.
People often say Conservatives and Labour are the same. We are not.
Rather than standing strong like I did, Keir Starmer and his team have given in.
The Foreign Office advice published by this government was clear that ‘it has not been possible to reach a determinative judgement on allegations regarding Israel’s conduct of hostilities,’ and that there are ‘credible reports that Hamas embeds itself in a tightly concentrated civilian population and in civilian infrastructure.’
Labour has taken a political decision to partially suspend arms sales to Israel.
Hamas vowed to repeat October 7th again and again.
To abandon Israel in its fight against this terrorist group, as it simultaneously defends itself from Iranian missiles, would not only be morally reprehensible but it would be counter to British interests.
What many don’t realise is that the UK benefits from the defence and security partnership we have with Israel.
Imported Israeli arms have protected UK service personnel in conflicts like Afghanistan and Iraq.
Israeli intelligence on Iranian-sponsored terrorism has helped thwart attacks and combat substantial terrorist threats all over Europe and the UK.
Along with intelligence, our defence trade with Israel is of mutual benefit, and when this war ends, Israel’s view of our trade relationship will be changed.
A reciprocal move against us would be damaging.
This is why I am very concerned about the PM’s pretence this week that this was a legal decision.
It isn’t. It is political and it puts a great deal at risk.
The Labour government has once again prioritised the mob over UK interests, making politically charged foreign policy decisions that lack legal reasoning and weakening our position in the global fight against Iran and her terrorist proxies.
They have also struck a blow against our world-leading defence export industry.
Other countries will fill the demand while our producers deal with uncertainty from Labour putting politics before the national interest.
Companies like BAE Systems are the jewel in the crown of UK plc and government should be creating opportunities for our defence exporters, not taking them away.
Labour sent a clear message to our allies and adversaries this week.
And they chose to send that message right after the cold blooded murder of six Israeli hostages taken from their homes.
We are now governed by a party that is not brave enough to face down intimidation and lobbying.
While Labour kowtows to special interests, I will always fight for what is in our national interest.
A Conservative Party led by me will not be pushed around by those who wish Britain harm.