Netanyahu Calls The UK Government's Decision To Suspend Arms Exports To Israel Embarrassing

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu/PHOTO via Instagram @b.netanyahu

JAKARTA - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the British government made "an embarrassing decision" for suspending several arms export licenses to Israel.

British foreign minister David Lemmy previously said the British government suspended 30 of Israel's 350 arms export licenses because of the risk the equipment could be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law.

The decision was quickly criticized by a number of Israeli ministers.

"This embarrassing decision will not change Israel's determination to defeat Hamas, a genocide terrorist organization that brutally killed 1,200 people on October 7, including 14 British nationals," Netanyahu said in a post on social media.

"Hamas is still holding more than 100 people hostage, including 5 British nationals. Instead of supporting Israel, a democracy that defends itself from barbarity, Britain's erroneous decision will only make Hamas bolder," Netanyahu said.

"With or without British weapons, Israel will win this war and secure our common future," he added.

Shortly after the British Labor Party won the general election in July, Lemmy said it would update a review of arms sales to Israeli allies to ensure that arms sales comply with international law.

British exports amount to less than 1 percent of the total weapons Israel receives.

Britain says the suspension will not have material impact on Israel and Britain's security continuing to support its right to self-defense.

Both Israeli and Palestinian leaders are being investigated on suspicion of war crimes and crimes against humanity following the October 7 attack by Hamas in southern Israel that killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies.