The Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner refused to endorse a suggestion by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn that Israel was guilty of “genocide” at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.
The independent MP for Islington North raised recent reports that 86 people had been killed in Gaza. According to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, 56 of those were near aid distribution centres.
“Israel stands condemned for acts of genocide, for war crimes, for their occupation of Gaza and their activities in the West Bank”, Corbyn said.
The former Labour leader then asked why the government “still supply parts for the F-35 jets that have been used to take so much life in Gaza” and “how is it that this country has got to this situation where we stand on the wrong side of international law when war crimes and genocide are concerned?”
He went on to urge Rayner to support his calls for an independent public inquiry into “UK involvement in Israeli military operations in Gaza”.
The deputy prime minister responded by condemning Israeli military action in Gaza as “appalling and counterproductive”.
She went on to outline recent measures the government had taken against Israel: “We have suspended FTA [Free Trade Agreement] talks and sanctioned extremists supporting settler expansion in the West Bank”.
However, she refused to endorse Corbyn’s suggestion that Israel was guilty of genocide, saying that it was a “long-standing principle” that “genocide is determined by competent international courts and not for government”.
Rayner also claimed that the UK does “not sell arms trades directly to IDF that might breach international humanitarian law”.
The UK is a partner to the F-35 fighter jet programme along with 19 other countries, including Israel.
Despite the government’s partial suspension of arms sales to Israel announced last September, the high-tech fighter jet was exempt from the announcement.
David Lammy justified the decision to MPs at the time, saying: “The effects of suspending all licences for the F-35 programme would undermine the global F-35 supply chain that is vital for the security of the UK, our allies, and Nato.”
Defence experts have previously told the JC that imposing sanctions on any particular country, namely Israel, could see the UK frozen out of the programme altogether.
Yesterday, the government announced it was purchasing 12 new F-35 jets capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
Justifying the decision, Sir Keir Starmer said: “In an era of radical uncertainty we can no longer take peace for granted, which is why my government is investing in our national security, ensuring our Armed Forces have the equipment they need and communities up and down the country reap the benefits from our defence dividend.
“Supporting 100 businesses across the country and more than 20,000 jobs, these F35 dual capable aircraft will herald a new era for our world-leading Royal Air Force and deter hostile threats that threaten the UK and our Allies.
“The UK’s commitment to NATO is unquestionable, as is the Alliance’s contribution to keeping the UK safe and secure, but we must all step up to protect the Euro-Atlantic area for generations to come.”
At the start of PMQs, Rayner also raised the plight of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, who she said “must be released”.
She described the return of more bodies of hostages held by the terror group – including of British-Israel Shay Levinson as “heartbreaking”.
Addressing Reform UK MPs, Rayner also appeared to suggest that the party’s criticism of the female commander of RAF Brize Norton was worse than Palestine Action’s attack on it.
Without mentioning Palestine Action, which the government intends to proscribe as a terrorist organisation, Labour MP Calvin Bailey – himself a former RAF veteran – told MPs: “I know she will share my horror that some on the opposition benches responded to that appalling attack on that base, not by recognising the consequences of 14 years of conservative under-investment in our defence, but personally at sneering one of our brave members of the Royal Air Force.”
On Saturday, Reform UK’s deputy leader Tice shared a profile of the base’s commander Louise Henton, which noted that she had “completed command and staff appointments in personnel, media, recruitment, programmes and plans, and human resources” with the caption “Kept safe & secure by an HR manager … Well done folks” in a post on X.
Bailey, who represents the London seat of Leyton and Wanstead, described Tice’s comments as “shameful” and that they brought “disgrace upon him and his party”.
Rayner, responded by saying that “the attack on the RAF Brize Norton was disgraceful. But what was even more disgraceful is Reform blaming the commanding officer. An accomplished woman who has served her country rather than the criminals that were responsible.”
She went on to say: “We shouldn’t expect anything better from the party of Putin apologists”.
Tice appeared to physically wave away the criticism and chant “rubbish” in response.
After similar criticism from another MP earlier this week, he defended his comments and told the BBC: "What is pathetic is allowing a HR manager to be responsible for security at one of our most important UK bases.”
