Foreign Secretary David Cameron ‘Worried’ Israel Has Taken Action ‘In Breach Of International Law’

In his appearance before the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday Foreign Minister David Cameron told members that he “worried” about Israel’s actions in Gaza and whether they were “in breach of international law.”

Amid a flurry of queries in relation to the ongoing Israeli campaign in Gaza, members asked about comments on LBC from UK Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely who suggested that “every school, every mosque, every second house has access to [Hamas] tunnels.”

Cameron told the panel: “Am I worried that Israel has taken action that might be in breach of international law, because this particular premises has been bombed, or whatever? Yes, of course.”

Members, including Scottish National Party MP Brendan O’Hara, probed Cameron on whether the Foreign Office had advised him that this was the case.

Cameron, cautious in his approach, refused to confirm any such advice but acknowledged seeing “evidence that is concerning.” He emphasised the complexity of legal evaluations in such conflicts and told the committee: “I am not a lawyer; it is not for me to give legal advice.”

The committee also touched on humanitarian issues, such as Gaza’s water supply, with Cameron urging for its restoration. Sir Philip Barton, adding to the discussion, highlighted the legal obligations of occupying powers to provide water, although he refrained from labelling Israel as an occupying power.

He continued: “I look at everything. Of course, there are a lot of things that have happened where you think surely that was something that shouldn’t have happened.”