Britain threatens to ‘withhold weapons’ from Israel

David Cameron reportedly warns of an ‘arms embargo’ across Europe if access to Hamas prisoners is continued to be restricted

Britain has reportedly warned Israel that it could withhold weapons supplies if the Red Cross is not given access to imprisoned Hamas fighters.
Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, warned Israeli officials during recent talks that “an arms embargo” would be declared across Europe if Israel continued to restrict the access to the prisoners, the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said on Thursday, citing Israeli officials.
It is unclear how Lord Cameron could influence decision-making in the EU.
It follows reports last month that the British Government was considering withholding arms if Israel were to invade the Gazan city of Rafah.
Britain reportedly demanded that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) be allowed to visit Hamas prisoners in Israel in line with the Geneva Convention. Israel claims an exemption to that law on security grounds.
Yedioth Ahronoth also reported that a “team of British lawyers” visited Israel earlier this month to examine the predicament and claimed that all prisoners in Israel, including the Hamas suspects, should be allowed a visit by the Red Cross.
Israel Katz, the country’s foreign minister, reportedly sent a letter to Lord Cameron via Israel’s ambassador in London, asking Britain to rally around Israel and not undermine its position amid negotiations for a hostage release and ceasefire with Hamas.
He is said to have told Lord Cameron there is “no room” for steps like restricting weapons supplies at such a crucial moment in the negotiations.
Rights groups and Israeli media reported harsh conditions in which Palestinian prisoners are now kept. At least 10 Palestinians have died in Israeli prisons since October, in addition to 24 inmates in Israel Defense Forces custody.
Separately, Israel’s National Security Council reportedly held a closed-door meeting on Tuesday to discuss a petition from a prominent Israeli rights group, demanding visits to Hamas detainees. The officials at the meeting reportedly unanimously agreed to refuse access to the prisoners.
The Israeli prime minister’s office and the foreign ministry were not immediately available for comment.