Israel: Compliance with International Law

Tracy Gilbert, the Labour MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, asked the Foreign Secretary, Mr David Lammy, about the planned timescale for completing the review of Israel's compliance with international humanitarian law. In response, Mr Lammy stated that he had commissioned new advice on this matter as soon as he took office, in the context of the war in Gaza. He explained that the government is obliged to look at this advice under criterion 2C for items exported, and that this is an ongoing process. Mr Lammy pledged to update the House as soon as possible on this very serious matter. Ms Gilbert welcomed the government's changing approach to the conflict in Gaza and the fact that the review was ordered shortly after the Foreign Secretary's appointment. She asked Mr Lammy to confirm that, if the review were to conclude that Israel was breaching international law, all actions including halting arms sales would be considered as part of the government's proportional response. In response, Mr Lammy reiterated that criterion 2C of the strategic export licensing criteria relates to a clear risk of breach of international humanitarian law. He stated that careful assessments have to be made, and that there is a legal process to enable the government to reach a conclusion. Mr Lammy assured the House that he intends to do this with all sobriety and integrity, and that he will update the House as soon as he can.