Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email
Please enter a valid email address
Please enter a valid email address
SIGN UP
I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice
Thanks for signing up to the
View from Westminster email
{{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}
Ben Wallace has warned Israel’s indiscriminate “killing rage” in Gaza puts it at risk of losing legal authority in the conflict.
The former defence secretary said its relentless attacks against Palestinians risk “fuelling the conflict for another 50 years” and radicalising young Muslims across the world.
Mr Wallace’s intervention comes after foreign secretary Lord Cameron called for a “sustainable” ceasefire in the conflict, warning Israel has killed “too many civilians”.
As the death toll in Gaza spirals, Mr Wallace said: “Going after Hamas is legitimate; obliterating vast swathes of Gaza is not.
“Using proportionate force is legal but collective punishment and forced movement of civilians is not.
RECOMMENDED
Iran executes child bride who killed abusive husband
Undo
Business-class plane passenger applauded for refusing to swap seats with couple
Undo
Superfood Reviews
Do This Everyday to Ease Eczema Flare-UpsSuperfood Reviews| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
URUHIME MOMOKO
A woman in her 40s drank "Ceramide" and her skin became…URUHIME MOMOKO| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Powered by Taboola Powered by Taboola
“We are entering a dangerous period now where Israel’s original legal authority of self-defence is being undermined by its own actions. It is making the mistake of losing its moral authority alongside its legal one.”
Former defence secretary Ben Wallace said extra support could help Ukraine ‘finish this’
" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2023/10/02/00/774a84d90330a99bf3c77899ac3495c9Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjk2Mjg3NDAw-2.71572559.jpg?quality=75&width=320&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2023/10/02/00/774a84d90330a99bf3c77899ac3495c9Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjk2Mjg3NDAw-2.71572559.jpg?quality=75&width=640&auto=webp 640w" src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2023/10/02/00/774a84d90330a99bf3c77899ac3495c9Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjk2Mjg3NDAw-2.71572559.jpg" data-gallery-length="3" class="i-amphtml-fill-content i-amphtml-replaced-content" pinger-seen="true">
Former defence secretary Ben Wallace said extra support could help Ukraine ‘finish this’
(PA Archive)
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Wallace accused Israeli politicians of acting like a “bull in a China shop” and said prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was “losing sight of the long term” after failing to prevent Hamas’s October 7 attack.
Promoted stories
Affordable Orthopaedic Surgery
The Cost of Orthopedic Knee Surgery in 2023 May Surprise YouAffordable Orthopaedic Surgery Search Now
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
“If he thinks a killing rage will rectify matters, then he is very wrong,” Mr Wallace said. “His methods will not solve this problem.
“In fact, I believe his tactics will fuel the conflict for another 50 years. His actions are radicalising Muslim youth across the globe.”
“Northern Ireland internment taught us that a disproportionate response by the state can serve as a terrorist organisation’s best recruiting sergeant,” the former soldier added.
And Mr Wallace, who stepped down as defence secretary at the end of August, called on Israel to “stop this crude and indiscriminate method of attack” and “combat Hamas differently”.
The striking intervention follows a shift in Britain’s tone toward Israel, with Lord Cameron backing a ceasefire “if it is sustainable”.
In a joint op-ed with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock, Lord Cameron said: “Our goal cannot simply be an end to fighting today. It must be peace lasting for days, years, generations. We therefore support a ceasefire, but only if it is sustainable.
“We know many in the region and beyond have been calling for an immediate ceasefire. We recognise what motivates these heartfelt calls.”
Lord Cameron said Britain wants a ceasefire in Gaza, “but only if it is sustainable”
(PA Wire)
Writing in the Sunday Times, Lord Cameron and Ms Baerbock added: “We do not believe that calling right now for a general and immediate ceasefire, hoping it somehow becomes permanent, is the way forward. It ignores why Israel is forced to defend itself: Hamas barbarically attacked Israel and still fires rockets to kill Israeli citizens every day.”
“Hamas must lay down its arms.”
In a warning to Israel, the two foreign ministers said: “Israel has the right to defend itself but, in doing so, it must abide by international humanitarian law.
“Israel will not win this war if its operations destroy the prospect of peaceful co-existence with Palestinians. They have a right to eliminate the threat posed by Hamas.
“But too many civilians have been killed. The Israeli government should do more to discriminate sufficiently between terrorists and civilians, ensuring its campaign targets Hamas leaders and operatives.”
More about Ben Wallace Defence Secretary Cameron Palestinians Muslims Gaza Israel
Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
199Comments
1/ 3Israel’s ‘killing rage’ risks fuelling conflict, Wallace warns
Israel’s ‘killing rage’ risks fuelling conflict, Wallace warns
Former defence secretary Ben Wallace said extra support could help Ukraine ‘finish this’
PA Archive
Israel’s ‘killing rage’ risks fuelling conflict, Wallace warns
Lord Cameron said Britain wants a ceasefire in Gaza, “but only if it is sustainable”
PA Wire
Israel’s ‘killing rage’ risks fuelling conflict, Wallace warns
Former defence Secretary Ben Wallace’s warning comes amid growing pressure on Israel (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)
PA Archive
Promoted stories
Best Hearing Aids
Seniors Born Before 1967 Are Eligible For Invisible Hearing AidsBest Hearing Aids| Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Body Design News
People who can't lose weight may not have tried "this"!Body Design News| Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Hong Leong Finance
Shop like a local with HLF FASTPAYHong Leong Finance| Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Read More Comments
Collapse Comments
？ Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Subscribe
Already subscribed? Log in