Business Secretary denies claim the UK is 'undermining' Israel's fight

The Government has pushed back against fierce criticism from Israel’s premier Benjamin Netanyahu, who accused Labour ministers of undermining his country against its enemies.

Mr Netanyahu’s comments came as Lebanon reeled from two days of attacks in which pagers and walkie-talkies used by Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants exploded, killing more than 20 people and wounding thousands.

Israel has not commented but the country’s spy agency Mossad is widely suspected, threatening to rip open a new front of hostilities with its forces already pummelling Gaza to root out Hamas.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds insisted that the Government’s recent suspension of certain arms licences to Israel was carefully calibrated to ensure that it could continue to defend itself against foes, including Hezbollah.

Asked if he regretted sanctions imposed over fears that Israel is violating the human rights of Palestinians in Gaza, Mr Reynolds said: “I don’t, and you will know that that decision on those export licences falls to me as Business and Trade Secretary, so I take personal responsibility in responding to those comments.”

The minister stressed that the Government had acted on legal findings.

“I did so to restrict those licences to the conflict in Gaza, making sure that Israel can still be in a position to defend itself against Hezbollah,” he told LBC.

Since the election, Sir Keir Starmer has also dropped the Conservative government’s plan to challenge an application for an arrest warrant against Mr Netanyahu at the International Criminal Court.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, the Right-wing Israeli PM said the Tory government was “clear in its support” of Israel after the October 7 massacre by Hamas.

“Unfortunately, the current Government is sending mixed messages,” he said.

“Most recently, the new UK Government suspended 30 arms licences to Israel, days after Hamas executed six Israeli hostages, sending a horrible message to Hamas.”

He added that while stating its support for Israel’s self-defence, the Government “undermines our ability to exercise that right” both at the International Criminal Court and by blocking the weapons sales.

Mr Reynolds responded: “I would respectfully reject very much that position, and say the decision we took was fair, was proportionate, was consistent with international law.”