LONDON: UK’s foreign minister David Cameron stated in a newspaper article that Britain’s backing for Israel hinges on their respect for international humanitarian law. This comes after an Israeli airstrike killed aid workers, including Britons, in Gaza.
“Our support isn’t guaranteed,” Cameron wrote. “We expect a respected democracy like Israel to uphold international law, even in difficult situations.”
Britain has traditionally been a strong ally of Israel. However, Cameron has become more critical recently due to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
He warned of a potential famine in Gaza and announced a Royal Navy ship deployment to the Mediterranean to establish an aid corridor.
“We’re working with the US, Cyprus, and others to build a temporary pier near Gaza to deliver aid quickly and safely,” Cameron explained.
Calls for ceasefire and investigation
Meanwhile, on the six-month anniversary of the initial Hamas attack, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reiterated his demand for Hamas to release Israeli captives and for a ceasefire.
“We continue to support Israel’s right to counter the Hamas threat, but the UK is deeply troubled by the violence and horrified by the deaths of British aid workers providing food to those in need,” Sunak said.
Sunak faces growing pressure to halt arms sales to Israel after the Israeli airstrike that killed aid workers, including Britons.
Several key allies of Israel also condemned the deaths and called for an independent investigation into the incident. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed outrage at the death of an Australian aid worker and communicated this to Israel’s Prime Minister.
