Former Army officers urge Prime Minister to halt arms sales to Israel
A group of four former senior Army officers have written a letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer calling for a full arms embargo on Israel.
In the letter, seen by the Times, Brigadier John Deverell, Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Graham, Major General Peter Currie and Major General Charlie Herbert say there is clear evidence that the IDF is committing war crimes and the UK risks being complicit if they cooperate.
They are also urging Sir Keir to ban any involvement with Israeli defence companies.
Brig Deverell served for more than 30 years and was defence attaché to Saudi Arabia and Yemen, while Lt Gen Sir Andrew is the former Director General of the UK Defence Academy. Maj Gen Currie was a military advisor in Bosnia-Herzegovina during his career, while Maj Gen Herbert was a senior military commander in Afghanistan.
Brig Deverell also signed a similar letter in March 2024 calling for an end of arms sales to Israel.
The four officers say evidence of war crimes is "so well documented and compelling that the British government should cut all military collaboration with Israel forthwith, to avoid the charge of complicity".
Although a fragile ceasefire is now in place between Israel and Hamas, who rule Gaza, the signatories say: "Now is not the time to return to business as usual with the Israeli government."
They add that, in their view, no RAF or British aircraft should be used to support Israeli forces and no military technology should be shared between the UK and Israel.
Planes were deployed to help find hostages kidnapped after the 7 October attacks, but the missions have been stopped since the remaining living hostages were released.
The signatories also want the Prime Minister to cease any business with the Israeli defence sector.
It comes after the country’s largest manufacturer, Elbit Systems, delivered its ground-based surveillance radar systems to the Royal Artillery, as well as bidding for an Army training contract worth £2 billion.
A government spokesperson said in response to the letter: "In September last year, we suspended licences for items for the IDF that could be used in military operations in Gaza.
"Exports of such equipment remain suspended, and we have refused over 40 applications for licences to export goods to Israel between September 2024 and July this year."
BFBS Forces News understands the government will issue a response to the letter in short order.
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