London must denounce Israeli attacks in Syria

Rights organizations in the UK have urged the government to denounce Israel's assaults on Syria and demand that Israeli troops leave the country, ending their "illegal presence."

The organizations, which include War On Want, the Council for Arab-British Understanding (Caabu), and the Global Legal Action Network (Glan), also voiced concerns in a letter to Foreign Secretary David Lammy that Israel might be utilizing technology and parts manufactured in the United Kingdom in its strikes.

The groups argued that there is a discrepancy between the current government's declared aim to uphold international law and its real actions and declarations.

"All UK arms transfers that run the risk of being used by any party in Syria to violate international law should be reviewed in this context to ensure compliance with UK domestic and international law."

Israeli warplanes have bombed Syria every day since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad on 8 December. At least 473 strikes, primarily targeting military sites, have destroyed naval vessels, fighter jets, air defense systems and ammunition depots.

At the same time, Israeli troops have seized the UN-operated buffer zone in the occupied Golan Heights and advanced deeper into Syria’s Quneitra province, pushing to within 25km of Damascus.

Some analysts believe Israel is shoring up its defenses to maintain control of the strategic Golan Heights, which it has occupied since 1967. Others fear Israel is using the chaos of the moment to seize and secure additional Syrian territory.