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THE LABOUR Government have given a pretty limp non-response to the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defence secretary, and a Hamas official.
Quelle surprise.
After four long hours, a UK Government spokesperson said: “We respect the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC) which is the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern.
“This government has been clear that Israel has a right to defend itself, in accordance with international law. There is no moral equivalence between Israel, a democracy, and Hamas and Lebanese Hizballah, which are terrorist organisations.
“We remain focused on pushing for an immediate ceasefire, to bring an end to the devastating violence in Gaza. This is essential to protect civilians, ensure the release of hostages and to increase humanitarian aid into Gaza.”
In other words, kicking the can down the road.
And it comes amid ever increasing pressure to take a stronger stance.
The SNP’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn previously said Starmer must confirm the UK will “do its bit to enforce the warrant”.
Flynn said: "Keir Starmer must confirm that the UK Government will comply with the International Criminal Court – and do its bit to enforce the arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant.
"The Prime Minister must also apologise for having previously condoned the Israeli government's war crimes in Gaza – and now commit to ending all UK arms sales with immediate effect."
The Labour Government previously faced criticism for suspending just 30 out of 350 arms export licenses to Israel.
Flynn added that there is "no question that the action of Hamas on October 7 constitute an appalling war crime" but that this in no way "gives the Israeli government the green light to carry out its own war crimes against innocent Palestinian civilians".
More than 45,000 people have been killed in Israel's bombardment of Gaza with dozens reportedly killed in overnight air strikes on Wednesday.
But this Labour Government continues to drag its heels.
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