UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting refused to retract his previous assertions that Israel has committed war crimes in Gaza, insisting on Wednesday that he stands by comments already on the public record. Addressing journalists at the Farnborough International Airshow, Streeting argued that Israel must be held to the same international standards applied to Britain and its allies, while acknowledging the country’s right to self-defence.
When pressed on whether his new ministerial role altered his stance, Streeting was unequivocal. “I have expressed very clearly my concerns about Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank. My comments are there. They are published. They are on the record. I am not going to pretend I didn’t make those comments,” he stated.
Streeting has previously accused the Israeli government of employing rhetoric akin to ethnic cleansing and described its behaviour as that of a “rogue state.” He framed his criticism as a function of alliance, arguing that friendship entails accountability. “Being a friend of Israel does not mean avoiding criticism… I also hold Israel, as a friend and ally, to the same standard that we hold ourselves to. That is the standard which should be applied to Israel. That is the standard that I think, I fear, they have fallen short of,” he added.
Regarding the future of UK-Israel defence procurement, Streeting deferred to established governmental frameworks, noting that decisions on weapons purchases, trade agreements, and diplomatic relations are collective cabinet responsibilities rather than individual determinations.
The remarks come amid a fragile ceasefire that has been repeatedly tested by Israeli airstrikes, ground operations, and restrictions on border crossings, severely limiting humanitarian aid entry into Gaza. According to the territory’s Health Ministry, operations since the truce took effect have resulted in over 1,150 Palestinian deaths and nearly 3,800 injuries. The conflict, which erupted on October 7, 2023, has caused catastrophic civilian casualties and devastated approximately 90% of the enclave’s infrastructure, according to local and international assessments.