The UK Government resolutely supports Israel’s right – and duty – to defend itself and remove the threat posed by Hamas. I share your hope for a just and lasting peace, which is why I believe that Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron was right to say: "If we leave Hamas in charge of even a part of Gaza, there will never be a two-state solution because you can't expect Israel to live next to a group of people that want to do October 7 all over again.”

Furthermore, calls for a ceasefire are understandable but not realistic. Hamas has always exploited ceasefires to rearm and expand its terror network within Gaza’s civilian population. Each time, this has led to greater bloodshed and suffering for both Palestinians and Israelis. This was seen again last week as Hamas chose to end the pause in hostilities when it fired rockets at Israel.
 
However, Israel must continue to keep international law central to its military campaign against the Hamas terror group. 
 
The UK operates some of the world’s most robust export licence controls, underpinned by thorough strategic export licence criteria which upholds the UK’s obligations under international law. The UK’s defence exports to Israel are relatively small – just £42 million last year – and much of it is component parts and not used by Israeli forces in Gaza.

It is also worth noting that the UK benefits from Israeli military technology, which has protected the lives of many British soldiers. 
 
An arms embargo on Israel and the wider boycott campaign stands to be damaging for UK-Israel bilateral relations, the well-being of the UK’s armed forces, and also counterproductive to the peace process. The British Government and I will continue to support efforts to secure a viable and lasting two-state solution.