Healey dismisses concerns over US-UK relationship after Israel arms sale ban

The Defence Secretary has dismissed concerns about a potential fracture in UK-US relations after he announced the suspension of some arms export licences to Israel.

About 30 out of a total of 350 licences have been suspended after a review found there was a risk they could be used in violation of international humanitarian law.

The decision has severely strained the UK’s relationship with Tel Aviv.

But speaking during a visit to HMS Diamond in Portsmouth on Thursday, John Healey dismissed concerns about its impact on UK-US relations.

He told the PA news agency: “We stand alongside the US as one of Israel’s staunchest allies, totally committed to its right to self defence.

“But also, like the United States, pressing Israel to accept their responsibility for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. That’s the way the conflict and fighting ends.

“A ceasefire that can get all of those hostages out, get the aid into Gaza and that can be the basis for a longer-term path to permanent peace in the region.

“But in the end that can only come from the two-state solution that (Prime Minister) Keir Starmer, back in October last year, promised that if we came to government he and this country would help lead a new push for peace, and that’s what we’ve been doing since.”

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the UK’s “shameful” decision and said “Britain’s misguided decision will only embolden Hamas”.

A statement on his account on X, formerly Twitter, said: “Days after Hamas executed six Israeli hostages, the UK government suspended thirty arms licences to Israel.

“This shameful decision will not change Israel’s determination to defeat Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organisation that savagely murdered 1,200 people on October 7, including 14 British citizens.

“Hamas is still holding over 100 hostages, including five British citizens. Instead of standing with Israel, a fellow democracy defending itself against barbarism, Britain’s misguided decision will only embolden Hamas.”