Thread by @zarahsultana

NEW: The government hid from Parliament the Foreign Office's "serious concerns" about Israel's compliance with International Humanitarian Law in Gaza, according to newly-released court papers.

This should be national news – and it should end arms sales to Israel. 🧵1/12

The papers show that at the start of the war the Foreign Office set up an internal International Humanitarian Law assessment process.

On 10 November it judged: “the volume of strikes, total death toll, as well as proportion of those who are children raise serious concerns”. 2/12

It also said: "the government’s current inability to come to a clear assessment on Israel’s record of compliance with International Humanitarian Law poses significant policy risks”.

But look at what Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell said to me just 4 days later... 3/12

In Parliament on 14 November, I asked Mitchell if British-made weapons had been used in violation of international law in Gaza.

He replied reassuring me of Israel's commitment to international law, even though just 4 days earlier his department registered serious concerns. 4/12

Mitchell said: "The member will know that the President of Israel has made it clear that his country will abide by International Humanitarian Law".

These court papers reveal that his own department, the UK Foreign Office, doubted the Israeli President's words.

It goes on. 5/12

The papers show that on 8 December the Foreign Office had "concerns regarding [Israel's] commitment to comply with the obligation not to arbitrarily deny access to humanitarian assistance". 6/12

The Foreign Office further said it was "possible Israel's actions" on humanitarian relief "were a breach of International Humanitarian Law". 7/12

But the papers reveal just 4 days later, the Foreign Secretary "decided he was satisfied there was good evidence to support a judgment that Israel is committed to comply with International Humanitarian Law."

He therefore recommended continuing to allow arms sales to Israel. 8/12

The papers show this informed the Business Secretary's "review" of arms exports to Israel on 18 December, who gave them the green light.

But officially, arms shouldn't be exported if there's a "clear risk" they could be used in violations of International Humanitarian Law. 9/12

What does all this tell us?

1. ⁠From early on the UK Foreign Office has had serious concerns about possible Israeli breaches of international law.

2.⁠ ⁠Duplicitous government ministers pretended otherwise, even in Parliament.

3. Arms sales to Israel must be suspended. 10/12

I have brought a Bill to Parliament that would suspend arms sales to Israel.

It wasn't given any time in Parliament today, but I'll bring it back to Parliament and I'll keep raising the issue.

If you agree with me, sign and share this petition. 11/12
actionnetwork.org/petitions/stop…

This only came out because @GLAN_LAW and @AlHaq_org have taken the government to court over its decision not to revoke arms export licences to Israel.

Well done to them! 👏🏽 12/12