TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Oxfam has warned that the British government's refusal to postpone arms sales to Israel while the conflict in Gaza continues could lead the country to "be complicit in war crimes," according to a press release on Friday, April 12, 2024.

The UK-based charity argued that Britain had previously imposed restrictions on arms transfers to Israel, and therefore, its current policy is inconsistent with previous conflicts.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary David Cameron "have repeatedly defended the UK's decision to continue weapon sales" even as Israel has killed more than 33,000 people in Gaza since the conflict began, forcing millions to flee and destroying vital infrastructure, Oxfam stated.

"However, in every previous escalation of violence in Gaza and against Palestinian civilians in the area, the UK has at least revoked some licenses or suspended arms transfers to Israel," Oxfam said.

Oxfam, in its release, cited various sources since 1953 showing Israel's past abuse of arms transfers from Britain, and Britain has repeatedly imposed arms embargoes on Israel.

Aleema Shivji, Oxfam's Chief Impact Officer, said the UK's choice to continue selling weapons to Israel is "illegal, immoral, and inconsistent."

"Yet it is clear that British-made weapons and components are being used in serious violations of international humanitarian law - and after this country imposed restrictions on previous escalations of violence when the scale of death and destruction was lower [compared to Gaza]," Shivji said.

"What more suffering must they endure for the UK Government to take action? This country must immediately halt all arms exports - including spare parts and components - or risk being complicit in war crimes," she added.

Oxfam said their campaign officers will deliver an open letter urging Cameron and UK Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch to end arms sales to Israel.

The letter has been signed by nearly 45,000 people, including over 50 prominent figures from politicians, CEOs to actors.

NABIILA AZZAHRA

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