The United Kingdom has declared its intention to halt certain Israel-bound export licenses covering weaponry utilised in Gaza’s military actions, following findings by UK government review, which posited potential infringements of international humanitarian law by Israel. UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, informed the House of Commons on Monday, that approximately 30 licenses encompassing items like components of military aircraft, will be instantly halted by the British government.
Following the government evaluation, Mr Lammy arrived at the resolution that the likelihood of certain UK-exported items being employed in severe breaches of international humanitarian law by Israel is high. This resolution signals a significant intensification of the stress exerted on Israel by its western allies concerning the Gaza warfare.
The UK’s role as an arm exporter to Israel is minimal compared to US or Germany, summarising to just around 1% of Israel’s imports. Nonetheless, this decision shall impart a notable diplomatic impact. UK’s export guidelines prohibit the issuance of licenses if the items involved hold the potential to perpetrate or facilitate egregious breaches of international humanitarian law.
The suspension will not incorporate parts for the multinational F-35 joint striker fighter programme unless such parts are directly intended for Israel. UK authorities deduced that impeding crucial components within the global spare part pool could potentially disrupt the maintenance and functioning of F-35s in other countries.
The suspension leaves unaffected licenses for chemicals, telecommunication kits, equipment used in trainer aircraft, and naval apparatus not deployed in Gaza. The UK presently has granted approximately 350 arms export licenses to Israel; the pause on about 30 of these will be under regular review and any new applications are to be scrutinised on an individual basis.
Suspending the licenses applies to equipment that the UK deems used in the Gaza conflict, like components for military aircraft such as fighter planes, helicopters and drones, as well as items that aid ground targeting. However, this governmental action does not shake the firm backing the UK has for Israel’s security, as underscored by Mr Lammy.
The UK government analysis has scrutinised adherence in three sectors: the supply and availability of humanitarian aid, the handling of detainees, and the proceedings of the military operation by Israel. The analysis established potential contraventions of international humanitarian law by Israel in the first dual categories, though it found an insufficiency of verifiable proof concerning the third.
UK officials have consistently urged Israel to enhance humanitarian entry to Gaza and increase access to detainees amidst claims of mistreatment of Palestinian prisoners in facilities such as the Sde Teiman prison. Upon assuming office about two months ago, Mr Lammy sought an extensive examination of Israel’s adherence to international humanitarian law.
The foreign secretary was not authorised to view the confidential legal counsel given to his predecessor, David Cameron, protected by legal privilege. Mr Lammy has undertaken two official trips to Israel since his appointment as foreign secretary.
This text has been certified by The Financial Times Limited 2024.