International
UK suspends arms export licences to Israel over humanitarian law concerns
The UK has suspended some arms export licences to Israel, citing a “clear risk” they may violate international humanitarian law in Gaza. The move, affecting components for military aircraft, helicopters, and drones, marks a break from US policy and raises concerns over UK-Israel relations.
In a move that could strain relations with the Biden administration, the United Kingdom has announced the suspension of several arms export licences to Israel, citing a “clear risk” that these arms could be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law. This decision marks a significant divergence from the tightly coordinated policy between the UK and the US regarding Israel.
The UK’s Foreign Office revealed that a two-month internal review raised concerns over Israel’s conduct in the ongoing Gaza conflict, particularly regarding the treatment of Palestinian detainees and the obstruction of aid to Gaza.
Although no definitive conclusion has been reached on whether UK-exported arms contributed to the destruction in Gaza, the scale of the devastation and civilian casualties has prompted the UK to take this precautionary measure.
The suspension affects components for military aircraft, helicopters, drones, and targeting equipment, covering 30 out of 350 existing arms licences.
Notably, components related to the F-35 fighter jet programme are largely exempt due to their integration into a global supply chain controlled by the US, a point seen as a significant loophole by pro-Palestinian groups.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized that this suspension is not a full arms embargo and does not match the level of previous suspensions, such as those imposed by Margaret Thatcher in 1982.
Lammy described the decision as one made “in sorrow rather than anger,” stressing that it does not amount to a judgment on Israel’s actions but is rather a forward-looking measure based on the potential risks involved.
Israeli officials reacted with dismay to the UK’s decision. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant expressed deep disappointment, emphasizing Israel’s need to defend itself against multiple threats, including those from Hamas, which recently executed six Israeli hostages.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz also criticized the UK’s move, stating it sends a problematic message to Hamas and its backers in Iran. The decision comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces mounting political pressure following a general strike and public outrage over his handling of the Gaza ceasefire terms.
In his address to the House of Commons, Lammy explained that the decision was driven by evidence concerning Israel’s treatment of Palestinian prisoners and restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The UK’s legal advice indicated that Israel could have taken more reasonable measures to facilitate humanitarian access and distribution, and it criticized Israel’s restrictive approach to dual-use items and the insufficiency of aid provided to Gaza.
The suspension is expected to complicate the UK’s relationship with the US, where the Biden administration and some Republicans close to Donald Trump have resisted similar measures, arguing there is no basis under international humanitarian law for suspending arms exports to Israel. Biden has faced pressure from the pro-Palestinian wing of the Democratic Party to leverage arms sales to force Israeli concessions in ceasefire negotiations.
In Europe, only Belgium and Spain have imposed arms embargoes on Israel, while Germany has refrained from doing so.
The UK’s decision is also likely to influence domestic legal challenges, including an upcoming case brought by Global Legal Action Network and the Palestinian human rights organization Al-Haq.
The Labour Party’s annual conference may see heated debates over the suspension, but Lammy’s careful calibration of the decision could help him navigate the potential backlash.
British arms exports to Israel amounted to £42 million in 2022, a relatively small portion of the UK’s overall arms trade, but the political implications of this suspension are likely to resonate far beyond the financial impact.
The UK’s suspension of arms export licences to Israel comes amid escalating violence in Gaza, where the death toll has surged to 40,786, according to Gaza-based health authorities.
In the past 24 hours alone, 48 people were killed and 70 wounded by Israeli military actions, bringing the total number of injured to 94,224 since the conflict erupted in early October 2023.
The Israeli military’s large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip is in retaliation for a Hamas-led rampage on 7 October 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,169 people by Hamas militants and Israeli security forces under the Hannibal directive, and the taking of around 250 hostages.
