HARDER LINE
Former human rights lawyer Starmer, however, has taken a harder line than the Conservatives on Israel, which relies on the US as its foremost backer in the Gaza war.
His Labour government last week announced restrictions on some weapons to Israel, voicing concern that they could be used to violate international humanitarian law.
The US declined to criticise Britain’s decision, saying that its ally had its own processes to make assessments, even after the US State Department’s own review concluded there were no grounds to restrict weapons.
The Labour government has also dropped its Conservative predecessor’s plans to challenge the right of the International Criminal Court to seek the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The US – while backing The Hague-based court when it comes to Russia – has denounced the bid to target Netanyahu, arguing that Israel has its own ways to ensure accountability.
On one issue the Labour government could prove to be a major relief for Biden – Ireland.
Biden, proud of his Irish heritage, has made no secret of his alarm that the Conservatives were jeopardising the fragile peace in Northern Ireland through Britain’s divorce with the European Union.
Starmer on Saturday paid a friendly visit to Ireland with a goal of resetting relations, with both countries pledging to safeguard the Good Friday Agreement, the landmark US-mediated accord from 1998 that ended decades of sectarian violence over British rule in Northern Ireland.
Since taking power, Starmer has moved to begin the repeal of a law granting conditional immunity to perpetrators of crimes during the so-called “Troubles”.
The State Department said that Blinken would also speak to his British counterparts about Asia, which the US insists remains a top priority despite needing to focus on the Middle East and Ukraine.
The Biden administration forged the three-way AUKUS alliance bringing together the US, Britain and Australia, bolstering military ties in the face of a rising China.
Source: CNA
