This is an entry from: Live: Strike announced in Israel amid mounting anger at Netanyahu
UK risks rift with US if arms sales to Israel are stopped, Trump advisor says
29 August 2024 22:47 BST
The UK’s new Labour government will risk its special relationship with the US if it imposes a ban on arms sales to Israel, Trump’s last national security advisor Robert O’Brien warned on Thursday.
F-35 fighter jets used by Israel’s air force as part of its bombing of Gaza are made in part by British arms firms.
If the UK arms embargo is imposed, “there is a potential there for a serious rift, whether it is a Harris or Trump administration, between the UK and the US and I would tread very carefully”, he said.
O’Brien added that the UK was endangering its future role in the F-35 project and would risk US congressional counter-embargos.
The UK has been actively considering suspending licences for arms exports to Israel.