LONDON: The British government on Monday announced a partial suspension of arms exports to Israel, citing a “clear risk” that some of the equipment could be used in serious breaches of international humanitarian law, amidst the ongoing Israeli bombardment campaign in Gaza.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy informed Parliament that the UK would suspend 30 out of 350 arms export licenses following a departmental review of Israel’s military actions. The suspension specifically targets items that could be used in Gaza, including fighter aircraft, helicopters, and drones. However, components for Israel’s advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets are not included in the ban.
The review, initiated shortly after Labour’s landslide victory in the general election in early July, reflects the new government’s reassessment of arms sales amid heightened scrutiny of Israel’s conduct in the Gaza Strip. Lammy said that the suspension was not an indictment of Israel’s actions but a precautionary measure.
“It is with regret that 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 said during a parliamentary session. He also stressed that the suspension would not significantly impact Israel’s overall security. He reiterated the UK’s support for Israel’s right to self-defence.
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The move comes as the Labour government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has called for a ceasefire in Gaza. While the government has largely continued the previous Conservative administration’s stance, there are indications that Labour may adopt a firmer position on Israel’s military operations.
Rights groups have welcomed the partial suspension but argue that it does not go far enough. Amnesty International UK’s Chief Executive, Sacha Deshmukh, criticized the decision to maintain exemptions for F-35 components, which he claims are used extensively in Gaza.
“The exemption for F-35 components is a catastrophically bad decision,” Deshmukh said. “We need to see a complete halt — with no loopholes — to all UK arms transfers to Israel.”
The UK government has faced legal action from rights groups about its export of arms and military components to Israel.
Britain’s strategic licensing criteria states that weapons should not be exported when there is a clear risk they could be used in international humanitarian law violations.
That led to claims that the government was ignoring its own rules in the Gaza conflict.
