Britain Halts Certain Arms Exports to Israel

On Monday, Britain announced a suspension on the export of certain military equipment to Israel, as the UK’s criticism of its ally’s wartime tactics intensifies amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in a staggering death toll among Palestinians.

The conflict ignited following a brutal assault by Hamas on October 7, which claimed the lives of 1,200 Israelis and led to the abduction of 251 individuals. Since then, Israel has responded with significant military operations in the Gaza Strip.

However, Israel’s approach to the conflict has drawn increasing scrutiny, including from traditional allies such as the United States. With the humanitarian crisis deepening and aid struggling to meet the needs in Gaza, the international community has raised serious concerns over the level of destruction within the Palestinian enclave.

In light of these developments, the British government decided to suspend approximately 30 out of 350 licenses for military goods exports to Israel. This decision is based on an assessment indicating a “clear risk” that these exports could be used in violation of international law.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy, addressing Parliament, expressed his regret over the suspension but reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to Israel’s right to self-defense.

Items affected by the suspension include components for military aircraft, helicopters, drones, and ground-targeting equipment. Exempt from the suspension are items that are not presently implicated in the conflict, such as training aircraft and naval equipment. Additionally, components for the multinational F-35 joint strike fighter program will largely remain unaffected, except when intended for direct use by Israel.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds stated that this suspension reflects Britain’s commitment to ensure that UK exports do not contribute to violations of international humanitarian law in the ongoing conflict.

In response, Israeli officials criticized the British government for its decision. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant lamented the suspension, emphasizing his support for Israeli troops and security operations, which he described as conducted with immense courage and moral values.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth condemned the UK’s actions, asserting that the move perpetuates the false narrative that Israel is violating international humanitarian law. He expressed concern that such actions could embolden adversaries of both Britain and Israel while failing to contribute to the resolution of the hostage crisis.

A British policy paper accompanying the announcement stated that Israel has not fulfilled its responsibilities as the occupying power of Gaza, particularly concerning the delivery of essential supplies to the approximately 2 million residents. Despite Israel’s stance that it is not an occupying force, the document noted that the country has acknowledged the obligation to allow humanitarian relief passage by third parties, including the United Nations.

The paper further suggested that Israel could do more to facilitate the accessibility and distribution of humanitarian aid. However, it noted challenges in evaluating Israel’s conduct due to the complex situation and limited access to accurate information regarding events in Gaza.

Accusations of genocide against Israel have emerged, claims that the nation strongly denies. The International Court of Justice has called for immediate measures from Israel to halt acts of violence in Gaza.

Critics, including Amnesty International, have expressed dissatisfaction with the UK’s limited sanctions. Sacha Deshmukh, chief executive of Amnesty International UK, remarked that while the suspension demonstrates some acknowledgment of potential war crimes by Israel, it still contains significant loopholes. He criticized the exceptions for the F-35 program, highlighting that airstrikes have been central to Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

Deshmukh cautioned that the UK’s decision might imply acceptance of Israel’s actions while simultaneously risking complicity in potential war crimes and other serious offenses occurring in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

According to government data, British military exports to Israel are on a downward trend. In 2022, licensed arms deals amounted to approximately $55 million, which declined to about $23.8 million the following year.

Additionally, the United States has faced its challenges with military shipments to Israel but has since allowed most of them to proceed. Reports suggest that over 40,000 Palestinians have lost their lives during the ongoing conflict, a figure provided by the Hamas-run Palestinian Ministry of Health, which does not distinguish between militants and civilians.