British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a bilateral meeting with Finnish President Alexander Stubb at 10 Downing Street, in central London, on March 31, 2025. (Credit: Hannah McKay/ AFP)
Donald Trump's nominee for ambassador to London stated on Tuesday that he would ask the United Kingdom to reverse its partial suspension of arms exports to Israel, a decision made due to concerns regarding international humanitarian law.
Investment banker and donor to President Donald Trump, Warren Stephens, said he was "a bit perplexed" by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's decision. "What I've read about this, namely that the UK has halted some of its deliveries to Israel, is certainly concerning," affirmed Stephens during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The Labour government announced last September the suspension of about thirty arms export licenses to Israel out of a total of 350, estimating that there was a risk they could be used in violation of international humanitarian law in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
"I would do everything in my power to encourage them to reinstate these permits and to try to provide them, you know, with what they need to continue their fights," added Stephens, referring to Israel. He was responding to a question from Republican Senator Rick Scott, who stated that Starmer's Labour Party "treats Israel as a problem and not as a solution," asking Stephens to attempt to "educate" the UK on the matter.
President Trump promised unwavering support to Israel and ordered the expedited delivery of some four billion dollars worth of arms to Israel.
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