UK Government announces partial suspension of arms export to Israel

Tuesday, September 3, 2024 - The UK government has announced the suspension of 30 out of 350 arms export licences to Israel, citing a "clear risk" that the equipment could be used to "commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law." Foreign Secretary David Lammy made the announcement on Monday, emphasizing that this move is not an arms embargo or a blanket ban.

Lammy clarified that the suspension does not determine "innocence or guilt" and that the UK has not and could not arbitrate on whether Israel has breached international humanitarian law. The government has also introduced new sanctions targeting four Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces involved in supporting Iranian proxy actions in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.

“Facing a conflict such as this, it is this government’s legal duty to review export licences," Lammy told the Commons. He explained that according to Criteria 2C of the strategic export licensing criteria, the government will not issue export licences if there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law.

“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 that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law," Lammy added.

The decision has sparked significant debate, with Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds clarifying in a written ministerial statement that the suspended licences include components for fighter aircraft (F-16s), parts for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), naval systems, and targeting equipment. “This is not a blanket ban but targets relevant licences that could be used in military operations in Gaza,” Reynolds stated.

The government remains committed to supporting Israel's right to defense in accordance with international humanitarian laws, Lammy said, adding that this decision was not taken lightly. The previous administration and the Labour Party had faced growing pressure to suspend arms sales to Israel due to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the high number of civilian casualties.

Lammy further expressed concerns about Israel's actions in Gaza, stating, “Israel’s actions in Gaza continue to lead to immense loss of civilian life, widespread destruction to civilian infrastructure, and immense suffering." He urged Israel to do more to ensure life-saving food and medical supplies reach civilians in Gaza, adding that Benjamin Netanyahu's government has not "satisfactorily" addressed concerns raised by the UK and its allies.

The suspension of certain arms exports has drawn criticism, including from DUP MP Sammy Wilson, who argued that the decision would offer Hamas "a line of hope." Wilson said, “The only people who will be overjoyed by this decision today will be the Hamas terrorists who murdered in cold blood six hostages at the weekend."

The announcement comes amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East, where hundreds of thousands of Israelis protested over the weekend after the Israel Defence Force (IDF) recovered the bodies of six hostages in Gaza. The UK joins several Western countries in reviewing its arms export policies with Israel amid rising tensions and humanitarian concerns in the region.