From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
British envoy says UK prepared to put ‘its own personnel in harm’s way’ to defend Israel from Iran
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
The UK is ready to protect Israel again should Iran attack, says the British envoy to Israel.
“The United Kingdom will be a close ally and is prepared to put its own aircraft and its own personnel in harm’s way to defend Israel,” says Ambassador Simon Walters, speaking to Israeli journalists at his Ramat Gan residence.
He notes that the Royal Air Force flew alongside Israeli and US pilots during the April Iranian missile and drone attack on Israel, and adds: “Without going into detail, on October 1, the British armed forces again played a role in trying to disrupt the Iranian attack on Israel.”
Turning to Gaza, Walters says that military pressure on Hamas will not get the hostages out nor will it destroy Hamas.
“I hear people calling for the continuation of the war until Hamas is destroyed and I think they are kidding themselves,” says Walters. “They are imagining an outcome that will never come. So it is essential that we would recognize that and focus our efforts on getting a hostage deal because it is the only way we can get them home.”
He puts the blame for the continued conflict squarely on Hamas: “Hamas could end this suffering by agreeing to a ceasefire and releasing all hostages immediately and unconditionally. We must be clear that the responsibility for the attacks of October 7 and for the kidnapping of the hostages belongs entirely to Hamas.”
On the suspension of some British arms licenses to Israel, Walters says that the risk of violations of international law “is evidently present here.”
He points at the fact that Israel has not allowed the Red Cross to visit prisoners taken from Gaza. “Had the Red Cross visited regularly, it would provide reassurance of the conditions, it would not only protect the prisoners,” he says, adding that it would also protect guards from accusations. He adds that UK NGOs are suing the government in court to try to force further arms restrictions on Israel, and that the government is fighting those attempts in court.
Walters also raises concerns over restrictions on Palestinians’ ability to harvest olives in the West Bank, and over attacks by Israeli extremists.
“At the end of the day, this is an aspect of the occupation, which many Israelis do not see and are not aware of,” he says.
