UK Suspends 30 Arms Export Licenses to Israel Over Humanitarian Law Concerns
The UK suspended 30 arms export licenses to Israel on Monday following a review by the new Labour government that found a “clear risk” that UK arms could be used in serious violations of humanitarian law, including the treatment of Palestinian detainees and the delivery of aid to Gaza.
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The suspension affects components for military aircraft, including fighter planes, helicopters, and drones. The Foreign Office stated that a two-month review raised concerns over Israel’s conduct during the conflict in Gaza. Although no definitive conclusion has been reached about whether UK arms contributed to the destruction, the scale of the damage and the number of civilian deaths were enough to prompt action.
The suspended licenses represent about 10% of the 350 extant licenses and do not include parts for the F-35 Joint Fighter Strike program unless specifically intended for use by Israel. The move, coordinated by the Foreign Office, the business department, and the attorney general, aims to prevent a potential revolt at the Labour Party annual conference. Ministers emphasized that this suspension does not represent a shift away from the UK’s commitment to Israel’s security, noting that similar suspensions had occurred during previous Israeli conflicts.
