TWIP-250518 The UK government significant shift against Israel actions.

The UK government has undergone a significant shift in its approach to Israel since the Labour Party took office. Foreign Secretary David Lammy has notably changed policies on arms sales, international law, and humanitarian aid.

One of the most striking moves was the restoration of UK funding to UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, after it had been suspended due to unproven Israeli allegations. Additionally, the UK has dropped its opposition to the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant for Israeli leaders, a decision that has sparked concern among Jewish communal bodies.

While Labour had previously called for transparency on arms sales to Israel, Lammy has yet to publish the legal advice on whether UK arms exports should be suspended. These shifts indicate a departure from the previous Conservative government’s stance, with some seeing it as a move toward greater accountability, while others worry it marks a distancing from Israel as a key ally.

There has been a growing international push to hold Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) recently issued an advisory opinion stating that Israel's policies in the region violate international law, including findings of apartheid. Additionally, a UN-backed commission has accused Israel of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during the ongoing conflict.

Public opinion is also shifting, with increased scrutiny from human rights organizations and some governments reconsidering their stance on arms sales and diplomatic support. However, enforcement remains a challenge, as key allies like the United States continue to provide military aid and political backing.

The question now is whether these legal and diplomatic pressures will translate into meaningful consequences.