Steve Witherden

Steve Witherden

Labour — Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr

Speaking in the House of Commons on 2 June 2025

Debate

Arms and Military Cargo Export Controls: Israel

Contribution

The hon. Member raises some really important points and I am in agreement with her intervention. When reviewing arms export licences to Israel, the UK must also consider violations across the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including the west bank, where Palestinians face home demolitions, forcible displacement and settler violence—actions breaching the fourth Geneva convention and risking UK legal obligations under the arms export criteria. The Foreign Secretary’s recent condemnation of Israel’s actions as “monstrous” was welcome but incomplete, because the very same Government continue to facilitate such actions. We cannot have it both ways. We cannot condemn atrocity while simultaneously fuelling the machinery that enables it. We cannot claim to uphold international law while profiting from its breach. I urge the Minister to respond fully—not with platitudes but with clarity, honesty and, above all, accountability.

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