Save the Children urges UK to review Israel arms sales

British human rights group Save the Children on Wednesday urged the United Kingdom to review its arms sales to Israel following the massacre of over 60 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Israel has come under international pressure after its border forces on Monday killed some 60 Palestinians protesting against the transfer the same day of the US embassy to Jerusalem.

More than 100 Palestinians have been killed in seven weeks of protests, mainly from Israeli sniper fire.

The British charity urged Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to launch a review of all weapons export licenses to ensure that British arms are not being used against children.

The group also called on Johnson to summon Israeli ambassador Mark Regev to urge greater restraint and condemn the use of live ammunition against minors.

More than 10,000 Palestinians have been injured since protests began on 30 March, with at least 400 children shot by live fire.

"As an agency that exists to protect and uphold the rights of children, Save the Children is calling on Israel to end the use of sniper fire, live ammunition and tear gas against children," George Graham, Director of Conflict & Humanitarian Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns at Save the Children, said. 

The group has backed UN calls for an independent investigation into the violence.

"Our teams on the ground are deeply concerned about the physical and psychological impact of the current violence. 15 children have already been killed and over 1,000 injured," Graham said.

During the Israeli war on Gaza in 2014 – which killed over 2,200 Palestinians – the British government conducted a review of all weapons export licenses to Israel to ensure arms were being used appropriately.