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Downing Street has rebuked David Lammy following his statement in the Commons that Israel violated international law during the war in Gaza.
During a debate on Monday, the Foreign Secretary claimed that Israel had committed a “breach of international law” by restricting aid supplies. However, No. 10 maintained that the Government’s stance had not changed, suggesting Lammy had misspoken.
When asked if Lammy’s remarks reflected the Government’s official position, the Prime Minister’s spokesman stated: “As the Foreign Secretary and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster have both said, our position remains that Israel’s actions in Gaza are at clear risk of breaching international humanitarian law. We continue to urge the Israeli government to uphold its international obligations regarding humanitarian assistance to Gaza’s population.”
The spokesman added that the UK opposed a resumption of hostilities following reports of over 300 civilian casualties from Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas overnight.
When pressed on whether Lammy would correct the record in Parliament, the spokesman reiterated the Government’s stance but said it was a matter for the Foreign Office to address. He also declined to confirm whether Prime Minister Keir Starmer had spoken to Lammy about his remarks or if the Foreign Secretary had misspoken.
Despite the reprimand from No. 10, it is understood that Lammy does not intend to correct his statement in the House of Commons.
Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, criticized David Lammy, stating that his primary focus should be on securing the release of the 59 hostages still held by Hamas since the attacks of October 7, 2023. She emphasized that their release was crucial for a lasting resolution to the conflict and a more stable future.
“Hamas has no regard for international law, human life, or human rights,” Patel said, adding that maximum pressure must be applied on the group. She urged Labour to make it clear that there is no moral equivalence between Hamas and Israel’s democratically elected government and called for an end to what she described as misguided decisions on arms exports aimed at appeasing Labour backbenchers.
When asked if the Prime Minister was comfortable with the parliamentary record being inaccurate, his spokesman reiterated the Government’s stance and said it was a matter for the Foreign Office to address.
The Foreign Office later walked back Lammy’s remarks, with a spokesperson clarifying: “The Foreign Secretary’s position remains that Israel’s actions in Gaza are at clear risk of breaching international humanitarian law.”
While the UK has consistently stated that Israel is “at risk” of violating international law, Lammy’s comments marked the first direct accusation of a breach.
During Monday’s debate, Labour MP Rupa Huq accused Israel of taking “provocative action during Ramadan” by restricting aid and questioned the potential consequences of what “people are saying is a breach of international law.”
Lammy responded: “This is a breach of international law. Israel has every right to defend its security, but the lack of aid—now 15 days without entry into Gaza—is unacceptable, deeply alarming, and very concerning. We urge Israel to restore the number of aid trucks to over 600 to ensure Palestinians receive the humanitarian support they desperately need.”
In recent weeks, Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has blocked the entry of humanitarian aid—including food, fuel, and medicine—into Gaza, increasing pressure on Hamas to comply with an increasingly fragile ceasefire.
Israel resumed its military operations against Hamas on Tuesday morning, carrying out airstrikes that killed at least 300 people and injured dozens more. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that it had restarted combat against the group after negotiations for further hostage releases collapsed.
According to The Telegraph, the "extensive strikes" in Gaza targeted Hamas leadership figures, mid-level military commanders, and key terrorist infrastructure.
Since the October 7 attacks, the UK has attempted to balance its support for Israel’s right to self-defense with calls for a “proportionate” military response.
During Prime Minister’s Questions last week, Sir Keir Starmer expressed his dismay over reports that Israel was blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza. In the aftermath of the October 7 massacre, he faced opposition from Labour’s left wing, which demanded an immediate ceasefire without conditions.
In December 2023, ten Labour MPs either resigned or were removed from the front bench for supporting an SNP motion calling for a ceasefire.
Labour also faced backlash from Muslim voters in the last election over its handling of the conflict. In response, Sir Keir has adjusted Labour’s stance on the war five times, eventually advocating for a cessation of hostilities in late 2023—a position later adopted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Conservative Party.
Sir Keir has made adherence to international law a key principle of his tenure in Downing Street. This commitment was also cited in his controversial Chagos Islands agreement, under which the strategically significant Indian Ocean archipelago will be transferred to Mauritius.
