Three London Labour MPs have written to David Lammy to express their concerns over this week’s decision to suspend a raft of arms export licences to Israel. Solicitor General Sarah Sackman, David Pinto-Duschinsky, and Dan Tomlinson say that their constituents have “expressed deep concern and upset about Monday’s decision.” To put it mildly…

They summarise concerns well:

1. The timing of the announcement “shortly after the murder of six hostages by Hamas terrorists. There was particular anger that the announcement itself coincided with the funeral of one of the hostages.“
2. “The message that the decision sends to Israel’s enemies, including Hamas, Iran and Iran’s proxies,” including the potential to “adversely affect the security and safety of Israel and its people.”
3. The effect of the decision on “Britain’s longstanding relationship with Israel as an ally” and Britain’s “perceived trustworthiness among its allies on the international stage.” Which is diminished…

It’s quite a thing to have the Solicitor General, a minister and senior Law Officer, criticise a policy the government defends on a purely legal basis. The MPs ask for a response from Lammy which they can circulate to constituents. Labour’s justifications since Monday clearly aren’t holding water with them…

Read the full letter below:

“Dear Secretary of State,

We are writing to you in light of the Government’s decision on Monday 2^nd September to suspend some arms export licenses to Israel. Whilst we support the Government in its commitment to international humanitarian law, we thought that it was important to relay the views of many of our constituents.

In each of our constituencies in Barnet, constituents have been in touch and expressed deep concern and upset about Monday’s decision. They have asked that we express their concerns to you, so that the Government can better understand their point of view.

Firstly, many constituents are upset and angry about the timing of the announcement which, as you know, came shortly after the murder of six hostages by Hamas terrorists. There was particular anger that the announcement itself coincided with the funeral of one of the hostages, Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

Secondly, our constituents have raised questions about the message that the decision sends to Israel’s enemies, including Hamas, Iran and Iran’s proxies. While the decision may have been intended to de-escalate the conflict, there is great concern that it may inadvertently have the opposite effect and adversely affect the security and safety of Israel and its people.

Lastly, our constituents have queried what this means for Britain’s longstanding relationship with Israel as an ally. They have also raised concerns about the possible impact of this decision on Britain’s perceived trustworthiness among its allies on the international stage.

We know that they would appreciate a response from you in due course which we can circulate to them.

Yours sincerely,

David Pinto-Duschinsky MP Member of Parliament for Hendon
Sarah Sackman MP Member of Parliament for Finchley and Golders Green
Dan Tomlinson MP Member of Parliament for Chipping Barnet”