UK Suspends Some Arms Exports to Israel Over International Law Concerns

The U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government announced on Monday the suspension of certain arms exports to Israel due to concerns that these weapons could potentially violate international law. This cautious move is designed to exert pressure on Israel’s allies, calling for an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that the U.K. government identified a “clear risk” that some of the weapons could be utilized to either “commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.”

He explained to lawmakers that the suspension affects around 30 out of the 350 existing export licenses for military equipment, which are believed to be intended for use in the current conflict. These include components for military aircraft, helicopters, drones, and various ground-targeting systems.

It is important to note that this decision does not equate to a determination of guilt or innocence regarding Israel’s alleged violations of international law, nor is it classified as an arms embargo.

In response, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant expressed his disappointment on social media, stating he was “deeply disheartened” by the U.K. government’s sanctions on export licenses to Israel’s defense sector.

The United Kingdom is one of several historic allies of Israel facing increasing pressure to suspend weapons exports amid the devastating consequences of the nearly 11-month-old conflict in Gaza. Reports indicate that over 40,000 Palestinians have died, as reported by the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory, which does not differentiate between civilians and militants in its total casualty figures.

The conflict escalated dramatically on October 7, when Hamas militants launched an incursion into Israel, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 individuals, predominantly civilians, and taking approximately 250 hostages. Currently, about 100 hostages are still believed to be in Gaza, with a third of them assumed to be deceased.

While U.K. firms contribute a relatively small portion of arms supplies to Israel compared to heavyweights like the United States and Germany, the symbolic weight of this decision carries notable significance. Earlier in the year, the government reported that military exports to Israel amounted to approximately 42 million pounds ($53 million) in 2022.

Analysts point out that the action taken by the U.K. could gain additional weight if other allies decide to implement similar measures. Sam Perlo-Freeman, research coordinator for the Campaign Against Arms Trade, welcomed the announcement as a long-overdue initiative but criticized the decision not to include exports related to F-35 fighter jet components.

This government policy shift follows legal actions initiated by two organizations, the Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq and the U.K.-based Global Legal Action Network. They have filed a legal challenge to compel the U.K. to cease granting licenses for arms exports to Israel, although this case is still awaiting a full court hearing.

Dearbhla Minogue, a senior lawyer at the Global Legal Action Network, remarked that the government’s decision confirms the concerns raised by Palestinians for months.

The Labour government, led by Starmer, who took office in July, has been under pressure from his own party members and other lawmakers to take a firmer stance against Israel regarding the conflict. The party previously lost several anticipated election seats to pro-Palestinian independents after Starmer initially refrained from advocating for a cease-fire following Israel’s retaliation post-October 7.

Unlike the prior Conservative government, Starmer’s administration stated in July that it would not interfere with the International Criminal Court’s request for an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Additionally, Starmer has reinstated funding for the U.N. agency assisting Palestinians, UNRWA, which had been halted by former Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government earlier this year.

Lammy, during his recent visits to Israel to advocate for a cease-fire, acknowledged his support for Israel but condemned the violence in Gaza as “horrifying.” He stated that the toll on civilian life, the extensive destruction of infrastructure, and the widespread suffering are deeply concerning.