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Starmer rules out total arms ban on Israel

REUTERS
Tuesday, Oct 08, 2024

LONDON: The UK will “never” ban all arms sales to Israel, Keir Starmer told MPs on Monday. Responding to questions from several MPs, including Jeremy Corbyn, Richard Burgon, and Zarah Sultana, the prime minister said the UK could not do so whilst also supporting Israel’s right to defend itself.

“If the sale of weapons for defensive use by Israel were banned, that is a position I could not countenance a year after Oct 7, it’s not a position I could countenance in the face of attacks by Iran,” Sir Keir told MPs.

“The idea that we could say we support Israel’s right to defend herself and at the same time, deprive her of the means to do so, is so wholly inconsistent that it will never be my position,” he added.