PRESSURE mounted on Britain yesterday to follow Germany’s lead in suspending arms sales to Israel, amid international outcry against Israeli ministers’ plans to take over Gaza City.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Israel’s decision to further escalate its offensive in Gaza is wrong and urged the Israeli government to reconsider.

His failure to respond with action, however, despite warnings of more destruction and suffering, was branded “unconscionable” by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC).

PSC director Ben Jamal said a full occupation would “mean the slaughter of thousands of Palestinians and ethnic cleansing of hundreds of thousands from their land. 

“Those already facing starvation, due to Israel’s blocking of aid, will now be pushed further to the brink by the full siege of the city. 

“It is unconscionable that in the face of such an egregious announcement of a planned crime against humanity, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer can only muster the words that this plan is ‘wrong,’ while taking no action to stop it. 

“Our government must stop arming Israel, end all military co-operation, end all trade with Israel and introduce a full body of sanctions on this genocidal state.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz meanwhile said that his country — an uncritical supporter of Israel for decades and one of Israel’s largest weapons suppliers — will now cease authorising any exports of military equipment that could be used in Gaza “until further notice.”

He said that “the even harsher military action by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, approved by the Israeli Cabinet last night, makes it increasingly difficult for the German government to see how” the release of Israeli hostages and purposeful negotiations toward a ceasefire in the 22-month conflict are achieved.

Stop the War convener Lindsey German said: “Keir Starmer says the takeover of Gaza City is wrong.

“If it’s wrong what’s he going to do about it? Sanctions on Netanyahu, expel the ambassador, break all cultural ties and above all stop arming Israel. 

“Germany’s pro Israel government has halted the supply of arms to be used in Gaza.

“We must demand a full break with Israel. No arms, military assistance or support for genocide.

“We are watching ethnic cleansing, war crimes and genocide in plain sight. 

“Everyone who opposes this must act. Trade union leaders and MPs must speak out. On Saturday we march in solidarity with the Palestinians and we will continue until Palestine is free.”

Stop the War has urged the public to make today’s national march for Palestine in central London as “big and loud as possible” as “this genocide is being enabled by UK-made arms and intelligence and by the UK government’s continued political support. 

“In response to Netanyahu’s plan to take over Gaza City, Germany is suspending all military exports to Israel. We should be doing the same. Starmer may say this escalation is wrong but he does nothing to stop it.”

Former Labour leader and independent MP Jeremy Corbyn added: “If the government was truly horrified by Israel’s occupation of Gaza, it would stop supplying them with the weapons they need to carry it out.

“The Prime Minister can condemn Israel’s plans all he wants. He cannot hide the truth: his government is complicit in genocide.”

More than 500 people are also expected to take part in a Defend Our Juries protest against the proscription of the Palestine Action direct action group in Parliament Square today, despite police warnings they face arest under terror offences.

General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU) general secretary Gawain Little said: “The GFTU has made a clear statement about the government’s misuse of anti-terror legislation to try to stifle public opposition to the genocide in Gaza. 

“Defend Our Juries are highlighting that injustice and should be commended. 

“The trade union movement will continue to stand in solidarity with Palestine and for an immediate end to arms sales to Israel.”

SNP Westminster Leader Stephen Flynn MP called on Sir Keir yesterday to recall Parliament to sanction the Israeli government “to stop Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan for an ongoing genocide in the Gaza strip.”

US Vice-President JD Vance said the US has “no plans” to recognise a state of Palestine during a bilateral meeting with Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

Sir Keir has pledged to do so under certain conditions in September.

UN high commissioner for human rights Volker Turk said: “The Israeli government’s plan for a complete military takeover of the occupied Gaza Strip must be immediately halted.

“It runs contrary to the ruling of the International Court of Justice that Israel must bring its occupation to an end as soon as possible, to the realisation of the agreed two-state solution and to the right of Palestinians to self-determination.”

In a statrment condemning the occupation announcement, Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry said it “categorically denounces Israeli occupation authorities’ persistence in committing crimes of starvation, brutal practices, and ethnic cleansing against the brotherly Palestinian people.”

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot revealed that the Israeli ambassador had been summoned to express “our total disapproval of this decision.”