Boris Johnson says it is 'shameful' to call for Britain to stop sending arms to Israel (Image: Getty)
Boris Johnson has attacked members of the British establishment calling on the UK to stop selling arms to Israel.
The former Tory prime minister said those supporting the end of arms sales were "clamouring" for Britain to turn its back "on the only democracy in the Middle East".
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Link Sponsored Link
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Haier
Best-in-class energy efficiencyHaier Shop Now
Undo
He wrote in his Daily Mail column that if the UK stopped arms sales, it would encourage Britain to also end its military support for Israel, therefore "willing the military defeat" of the country and "the victory of Hamas".
Mr Johnson wrote: "Remember that in order to win this conflict, Hamas only has to survive. All they need at the end is to hang on, rebuild and go again. That's victory for Hamas and that is what these legal experts seem to be asking for."
Powered By
10
10
Professor T: Jasper locked in prison ahead of his trial
Share
Next
Stay
Skip Ad
The former MP said it was "shattering" to see deaths of three British aid workers, but that Israel was sending warnings of their attacks and "trying to use precision munitions".
Sponsored
Virimi.com
Virimi.comThe 10 Best Arm Workouts in 2021: Bicep and Tricep Exercises - Virimi
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
He added: "If the West continues to crumble - and especially if Britain and the US crumble - then the Israelis will be prevented from getting into Rafah. They will be prevented from achieving their objective: of finishing Hamas as a military force in Gaza."
READ MORE Huge win for Tories after thumping Labour in major by-election blow to Starmer
Stay up-to-date with the latest Politics news Join us on WhatsApp Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
Mr Johnson asked: "Is that really what you want, all you legal experts who say that Israel's actions now necessitate an arms embargo? Do you want to hand victory to a bunch of murderers and rapists?"
He concluded that the banning of arms sales would be "insane" and "shameful". He added: "The sooner the Government formally denounces the idea, the better."
Three Britons were among the seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers who died in airstrikes in Gaza carried out by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on Monday.
Israeli officials have dismissed two officers over the strikes, which were described as a "grave mistake stemming from a serious failure".
Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron said the UK will carefully review findings of the initial IDF report into the incident released on Friday.
Don't miss...
UK's worst street with mountains of rubbish 'left to rot by Sadiq Khan' [REVEALED]
Thousands call on Nigel Farage to stand as an MP as rumours about future swirl [REPORT]
Rishi Sunak leading Tories to 'Armageddon' as new poll gives Labour 500 seats [LATEST]
Boris Johnson says 'the sooner the Government formally denounces the idea, the better' (Image: Getty)
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
The incident has led to widespread calls from MPs from all major parties to end UK arms sales to Israel, as well as a letter signed by more than 600 lawyers, including former Supreme Court justices.
Meanwhile, the Government's ethics adviser is facing calls to investigate whether Lord Cameron and Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch could be in breach of the ministerial code over continued UK arms sales to Israel.
MPs from across the political spectrum have urged the foreign secretary to reveal whether he has received legal advice on continuing arms export licences to Israel, and publish it if he has.
Layla Moran, the Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson, has written to independent ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus, calling for an investigation into whether the two senior Cabinet ministers may have breached the ministerial code by not publishing the advice if they have received it.
The code, which sets out the standards expected of Government figures, says ministers have an "overarching duty" to comply with the law.
Trending
Three Britons were among the seven World Central Kitchen aid workers who died in IDF airstrikes (Image: Getty)
Despite calls to end arms sales, Conservative MP Bob Seely, who sits on the Foreign Affairs committee, has said the UK should "double down" on its relationship with Israel.
The Isle of Wight MP said those calling on the Government to end arms sales were engaging in "shallow gesture politics".
He told BBC Newsnight: "The reality is that we supply 0.02 percent of Israel's arms imports, which is a meaninglessly small figure, and actually by blocking it, effectively, this is shallow gesture politics and nothing but.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Fury as hated new SNP law compared to 'Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia'
153 Comments
Yahoo Search | Home Insurance
Find The Best Results For Home Insurance Now!Yahoo Search | Home Insurance Search Now
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Tiny unknown nation threatening to rebel against home country and declare independence
3 Comments
Thousands of Israelis protest against Netanyahu over war with Hamas
114 Comments
Fury as hated new SNP law compared to 'Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia'
153 Comments
Tiny unknown nation threatening to rebel against home country and declare independence
3 Comments
Thousands of Israelis protest against Netanyahu over war with Hamas
114 Comments
"And it's symptomatic of the way that gesture politics is driving out rigorous thought from public debate. So, let's have a rigorous public debate, let's talk about the issues, but please, let's just drop the gesture politics because it's pretty pointless."
Mr Seely added: "If you want to have a strategy, and if you want to have influence over people, you have to stay close to them. So actually, we have to double down on our relationship with Israel, but also Arab states that are involved in the same way."
Related articles Tesco introduces new 10p charge and some customers are furious 'Confused' Biden calls himself 'O'Biden' before losing it with teleprompter Damning Marcus Rashford footage emerges as supporters turn on 'unacceptable' ace Vote whether you think the UK should introduce army conscription for over 18s State of emergency declared after radiation detected in major Russian city