UK Halts Certain Arms Sales to Israel
The foreign secretary emphasized that the sale of some arms to Israel is being suspended due to concerns about potential violations of international humanitarian law, as part of the legal duty to review export licenses. It is not a blanket ban, and Israel only imports a small fraction of arms from the UK.
In a statement to the UK Parliament on Sept. 2, Foreign Secretary David Lammy disclosed that about 30 out of 350 licenses will be immediately halted following a review initiated after the July election. The review indicated a clear risk that certain UK arms exports to Israel could be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The suspension covers equipment being used in the current conflict in Gaza, such as components for military aircraft including fighter aircraft, helicopters, drones, and ground targeting technology.
Lammy pointed out that under the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, export licenses cannot be issued if there is a clear risk of serious violations of international humanitarian law.
Former minister Greg Hands stated during a debate in December last year that the UK’s military exports to Israel are minimal, accounting for just 0.02 percent of Israel’s total military imports.
The United States remains the main weapons supplier to Israel. Lammy clarified that the suspension is not a blanket ban or arms embargo but a result of the government’s legal obligation to review export licenses.
He emphasized that the government does not arbitrate on whether Israel has breached international humanitarian law and that the evaluation is forward-looking and does not prejudge any future determinations by the courts. The goal is not to pressure Israel or defend Hamas’ actions.
“This Government is not an international court. We have not—and could not—arbitrate on whether or not Israel has breached international humanitarian law,” Lammy reiterated.
