For a duration of 10 months, the Conservative government of Britain had been closely aligned with the United States in its response to Israel’s actions in Gaza. However, the new Labour government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer is now gradually distancing itself from its traditional ally regarding the conflict.
Expected by the end of this week, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is likely to abandon the previous government’s objections to the International Criminal Court prosecutor’s pursuit of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This shift signifies a significant departure from the previous stance, as the new government is showing a willingness to exert more pressure on Israel for its military actions in Gaza.
Last week, Britain announced the resumption of funding for UNRWA, the main United Nations agency aiding Palestinians. The decision came after a reassessment, determining that the agency had taken necessary steps to uphold the highest standards of neutrality. This move indicates a shift towards supporting international legal institutions, with Prime Minister Starmer, a former human rights lawyer, at the helm.
While President Biden had criticized the International Criminal Court’s pursuit of arrest warrants for Mr. Netanyahu and the Israeli defense minister in May, Britain’s approach reflects a greater emphasis on international legal accountability rather than alignment with the United States. Although symbolic, the warrants could have implications for Israel.
Notably, the new British government has refrained from implementing concrete measures such as halting weapons shipments to Israel. Officials have cited an ongoing legal review to determine if Israel’s actions align with human rights laws.
