Britain has announced the immediate suspension of 30 arms export licenses to Israel due to concerns that the equipment could be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law, Foreign Minister David Lammy said on Monday.
Lammy pointed out that this suspension is not a complete ban on arms exports to Israel but is limited to licenses for items that could be used in the ongoing war in Gaza.
“It is with regret that I inform the House of Commons today that the assessment I have received leaves me unable to conclude anything other than that for certain UK arms exports to Israel, there exists a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law,” Lammy stated.
In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz expressed disappointment with the British government’s decision, highlighting that the suspension affects 30 out of 350 arms export licenses.
Since the start of the war in Gaza, the UK government has significantly reduced the number and value of permits granted for the sale of military equipment to Israel. According to Reuters, the value of these permits has dropped by more than 95%, reaching its lowest point in 13 years. This development reflects the latest political, ethical, and strategic considerations related to the Gaza conflict.
While the British government does not directly provide arms to Israel, it issues licenses for companies to sell weapons, ensuring compliance with international humanitarian law through legal reviews.
Despite this suspension, F-35 fighter jets can still be supplied to Israel. Samuel Perlo-Freeman of the Campaign Against Arms Trade told Al Jazeera that “The F-35 was used to drop 3,000-pound bombs on al-Mawasi, a so-called safe zone, on July 19.”
Israel’s recent actions in the occupied West Bank have heightened international concerns. Reports from The Washington Post suggest that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s stance has complicated ceasefire negotiations, with the White House preparing a final “take it or leave it” deal that, if rejected, could mark the end of U.S.-led mediation efforts.