The UK announced this Tuesday that it has suspended 30 arms export licenses to Israel due to speculations that such British-made weapons could be used to kill Palestinian civilians in violation of international humanitarian law.
The UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced in a speech in the country’s parliament on Monday that London has decided to suspend 30 arms export licenses to Israel due to speculations that the British-made weapons could be used by the Israeli army to kill Palestinian civilians in Gaza in violation of international humanitarian law.
“Facing a conflict such as this, it is this government’s legal duty to review export licenses,” Lammy told MPs, adding that “It is with regret that I inform the House 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.”
The announcement was indeed the result of months of pressure from arms campaigners and rights advocates for a full suspension of arms sales to Israel. The groups welcomed the decision, but rebuked the continued export of F-35 fighter jet components which they called “a workhorse of Israel’s brutal bombing campaign”.
It was earlier on Monday that Danish news outlet Information revealed the Israeli military used an F-35 stealth fighter in a 13 July attack on a designated safe zone in Gaza which killed at least 90 people.
Lammy also asserted that the government’s decision did not mean that Israel had broken humanitarian law and that it was impossible verify all claims. However, he said that the assessment found “that Israel could reasonably do more to ensure lifesaving food and medical supplies reach people in Gaza”.
He further noted the government was “deeply concerned” about reports of mistreatment of Palestinian detainees, which the International Committee of the Red Cross has not been able to investigate after being denied access. “My predecessor and major allies have raised these concerns. Regrettably, these have not been addressed satisfactorily,” he said of the detainees.
Underlining that the UK government will continue to support Israel if it was under attack, particularly from Iran, Lammy said that “this government will continue to stand for Israel’s security and we will always do so in a manner consistent with our obligations to domestic and international law.”
Unlike the US, the UK does not directly supply Israel with arms but it does grant export licenses for British companies to sell arms to Israel. Israel has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7, mostly women and children. The actions have triggered a humanitarian disaster and an ongoing trial over genocide at the International Court of Justice against Israel.
Israeli officials lash out at UK’s new arms embargo announcement!
a few hours after UK’s arms embargo announcement against Israel, officials in Tel Aviv reacted and voiced disappointment to a British government.
Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, for example, said that Israel is “disappointed by a series of decisions” by the UK, including the decision regarding the arms exports, alleging that such decision sends “a very problematic message” to Hamas and Iran.
Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant also reacted and said he is “deeply disheartened” by the decision, arguing that it comes at a time “when we fight a war on 7 different fronts”.
“I stand by our troops and security agencies working with immense courage, professionalism and moral values. We remain committed to defending the State of Israel and her people,” Gallant also noted.
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