UK dismisses Macron's request for an arms embargo on Israel
British Defense Secretary John Healey has rejected Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to halt weapon shipments to Israel. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The British Defense Secretary, John Healey, on Monday dismissed French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent call for an end to weapons deliveries to Israel. During an interview with Sky News, Healey indicated that the UK will not support Macron’s initiative, noting that it “works a different system” for arms supplies.
This week marks a year since the Hamas attacks on southern Israel that prompted the country’s military operation in Gaza, escalating tensions between Israel and neighboring Muslim nations that have aligned with the Palestinians. Meanwhile, this month, Israel commenced a ground operation in Lebanon, and Iran launched a significant missile strike against the Jewish state.
In a media interview broadcast on Saturday, Macron urged Western nations to “stop delivering arms” to Israel, emphasizing the importance of finding a “political solution” to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and cautioning that Lebanon could become “a new Gaza.” His remarks provoked a strong backlash from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who took to X to label Macron’s call a “disgrace,” asserting that Israel “would win with or without” Western support.
When questioned about Macron’s proposal, Healey clarified that the UK does not endorse a full arms embargo on Israel. He pointed out that the UK has its own regulations governing arms exports to the Jewish state.
“We as a Government don’t supply anything directly to Israel, but where there are export licenses that have a clear risk that may breach international law, then we’ve suspended those licenses where they could affect the lives in Gaza,” he said. Healey referred to the UK suspending 30 of its 350 arms export licenses to Israel last month, which encompassed fighter aircraft, helicopters, and drones. London had justified this decision by citing a “clear risk” that such items could be used to violate international humanitarian law.
In his interview, Healey echoed Macron's call for a political resolution to the conflict, urging the international community to “redouble efforts to reduce the risk of wider war.” He acknowledged the challenges of diplomacy but asserted that London is committed to leading a push for a more favorable peace that would ultimately lead to a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.
The Times of Israel reported that Macron and Netanyahu spoke by phone late on Sunday, with both leaders “acknowledge[ing] their differences of opinion.” Despite this exchange, Macron did not backtrack on his demand to halt arms supplies, while Netanyahu expressed his expectation that “Israel’s friends” would “stand behind it” and refrain from imposing limitations on West Jerusalem that would only strengthen the Iranian terror axis.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
This week marks a year since the Hamas attacks on southern Israel that prompted the country’s military operation in Gaza, escalating tensions between Israel and neighboring Muslim nations that have aligned with the Palestinians. Meanwhile, this month, Israel commenced a ground operation in Lebanon, and Iran launched a significant missile strike against the Jewish state.
In a media interview broadcast on Saturday, Macron urged Western nations to “stop delivering arms” to Israel, emphasizing the importance of finding a “political solution” to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and cautioning that Lebanon could become “a new Gaza.” His remarks provoked a strong backlash from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who took to X to label Macron’s call a “disgrace,” asserting that Israel “would win with or without” Western support.
When questioned about Macron’s proposal, Healey clarified that the UK does not endorse a full arms embargo on Israel. He pointed out that the UK has its own regulations governing arms exports to the Jewish state.
“We as a Government don’t supply anything directly to Israel, but where there are export licenses that have a clear risk that may breach international law, then we’ve suspended those licenses where they could affect the lives in Gaza,” he said. Healey referred to the UK suspending 30 of its 350 arms export licenses to Israel last month, which encompassed fighter aircraft, helicopters, and drones. London had justified this decision by citing a “clear risk” that such items could be used to violate international humanitarian law.
In his interview, Healey echoed Macron's call for a political resolution to the conflict, urging the international community to “redouble efforts to reduce the risk of wider war.” He acknowledged the challenges of diplomacy but asserted that London is committed to leading a push for a more favorable peace that would ultimately lead to a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.
The Times of Israel reported that Macron and Netanyahu spoke by phone late on Sunday, with both leaders “acknowledge[ing] their differences of opinion.” Despite this exchange, Macron did not backtrack on his demand to halt arms supplies, while Netanyahu expressed his expectation that “Israel’s friends” would “stand behind it” and refrain from imposing limitations on West Jerusalem that would only strengthen the Iranian terror axis.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
