The United Kindgomd said Monday it would suspend some arms exports to Israel, citing a “clear risk” that they could be used in a serious breach of international humanitarian law.
The announcement follows a review by the Foreign Office into the arms sales given concerns about Israel’s conduct in its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy told parliament that the United Kingdom would suspend 30 out of 350 arms export licenses to Israel.He said the partial ban covered items “which could be used in the current conflict in Gaza,” including fighter aircraft, helicopters and drones.The ban does not include parts for the F-35 fighter jets, Lammy added.
The foreign secretary announced a review looking at the arms sales shortly after Labour swept to power in a landslide general election victory over the Conservatives in July.
“It is with regret that I inform the House (of Commons) today the assessment I have received leaves me unable to conclude anything other than that for certain UK arms exports to Israel, there does exist a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law,” Lammy told lawmakers.
He stressed that the suspension was “not a determination of innocence or guilt” and that the situation would be kept under review.
“We have not and could not arbitrate on whether or not Israel has breached international humanitarian law,” Lammy said, adding that the United Kingdom is “not an international court.”
Israel’s defense minister Yoav Gallant criticized the decision saying he was “deeply disheartened to learn of the sanctions placed by the UK government on export licenses to Israel’s defense establishment,” in a post on X.
Lammy reiterated the UK’s support for Israel in defending itself and stressed the suspension would not have a “material impact on Israel’s security.”
The UK’s center-left Labour government has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, and for the speeding up of aid deliveries into Gaza, since taking power on July 5.
It has followed the same approach to the conflict as the previous Conservative government, with Lammy and other ministers at pains to demand that Hamas release the hostages seized in its October 7 attacks as part of any ceasefire.
However, some commentators have suggested that Labour, led by former human rights lawyer Keir Starmer, may take a tougher long-term stance towards Israel and how it conducts its military operations.
Last week, the UK Foreign Office said it was “deeply” concerned by an Israeli military operation in the occupied West Bank, urging it to “exercise restraint” and adhere to international law.
The UK is among a number of Israel’s longstanding allies whose governments are under pressure to stop weapons exports due to the rising death toll in the 11-month-old war in Gaza, where more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed.
British firms sell a relatively small amount of weapons and military equipment to Israel. Earlier this year, the government said military exports to Israel amounted to 42 million pounds ($53 million) in 2022.
With AFP
