The United Kingdom will be suspending 30 out of the 350 arms export licences to Israel, according to Foreign Secretary David Lammy. This decision comes after concerns were raised about British arms export licensing to Israel over its military activity during the war in Gaza. Parts for fighter jets, helicopters, and drones are some of the items involved in the suspension of arms licences.
Lammy stated that the UK is acting on the Strategic Export Licencing Criteria, which states that “the government will not issue export licences if there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilities serious violations of international humanitarian law”. The foreign secretary also noted that this does not amount to an arms embargo, and the UK continues to support Israel’s right to defend itself.
The partial ban covers items “which could be used in the current conflict in Gaza,” Lammy added. He also pointed out that the review did not, and “could not arbitrate on whether or not Israel has breached international humanitarian law”. This is a forward-looking evaluation, not a determination of innocence or guilt.
The US accounts for 69% of Israel’s imports of major conventional arms between 2019 and 2023, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Meanwhile, the UK has granted arms export licenses to Israel worth £574m ($727m) since 2008. Research by Parliament shows the value of licenses granted has declined from £42m in 2022 to £18.2m in 2023. Some backbench Labour MPs have been urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to go further and ban British arms sales to Israel. The Labour government has called for an immediate ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas, the release of all hostages, and an increase in the amount of aid to civilians in Gaza
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