Former British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has issued a stark warning against any potential halt in weapon sales to Israel, amidst the ongoing conflict with Gaza which has now entered its seventh month. Johnson deemed the idea of banning arms sales to Israel as “insane”, emphasizing the importance of supporting the country in its military endeavors.
The former PM criticized the current Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, for his silence on the debate surrounding the UK’s arms trade with Israel. The tension escalated following the Israeli Defense Forces’ airstrikes that tragically resulted in the deaths of three British aid workers affiliated with the World Central Kitchen (WCK) organization.
In response to the airstrikes, MPs from various political parties and over 600 lawyers, including former supreme court justices, called for an end to arms trading with Israel. However, Israel later clarified that the attack on the aid convoy was not intentional but rather a grave mistake stemming from a serious failure, leading to the dismissal of two officers involved in the strikes.
Despite the tragic incident, Johnson defended Israel’s actions, describing the attack as “shattering” but emphasizing the need to support the country in its efforts to combat Hamas in Gaza. He questioned the implications of imposing an arms embargo on Israel, warning against handing victory to what he referred to as “a bunch of murderers and rapists”.
Johnson proposed a solution to the conflict, suggesting that if Hamas released its hostages, it would prompt the immediate withdrawal of the Israeli Defense Forces and potentially bring an end to the conflict. He concluded by labeling the idea of banning arms sales to Israel as “insane” and “shameful”, urging the government to reject such proposals promptly.
In a statement to the Daily Mail, Johnson highlighted the importance of standing by Israel in its fight against Hamas, emphasizing the need for continued support rather than condemnation. The former Prime Minister’s stance reflects a broader debate surrounding the ethics of arms sales in conflict zones and the complexities of international relations.
