UK suspends 30 out of 350 arms export licenses to Israel

LONDON

The UK has suspended 30 arms export licenses to Israel after a review, Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced on Monday.

During a speech in parliament, Lammy said that the decision comes following a review of export licenses for UK arms which found there was a "clear risk" that they would be used in a way that could breach international law.

"Facing a conflict such as this, it is this government's legal duty to review Britain's export licenses," said Lammy.

Around 30 of 350 licenses will be suspended, he noted, however adding: "This is not a blanket ban, this is not an arms embargo."

The British government has been under fire over continuing arms export licenses to Israel.

In June, the Department for Business and Trade said the UK has issued 108 arms export licenses to Israel since Oct. 7 – when the Gaza conflict began – while over 300 licenses were still active, according to the data prior to Monday's decision.

The 30 licenses include components for military aircraft, helicopters, drones, and items which facilitate ground targeting.

However, the Foreign Office said several export licenses that have been assessed are not for military use in the current Gaza conflict and "therefore do not require suspension."

He further told lawmakers that after raising his concerns while in opposition, he immediately launched a review upon taking office and "committed to sharing the review's conclusions."

"We have rigorously followed every stage of the process which the previous Conservative government established, and let me first be clear on the review's scope, this government is not an international court," he said.

Lammy added: "It is with regret that I inform the House today, that the assessment I have received finds that for certain UK arms exports to Israel, there exists a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law.

"Therefore today we are announcing the suspension of around 30 export licenses to Israel as required under the Export Controls frameworks."

Suspension does not extend to parts for F-35 program

Later, the Foreign Office issued a statement confirming that the British government has decided to suspend arms export licenses to Israel for use in military operations in Gaza following a review of Tel Aviv’s compliance with international humanitarian law.

"UK assessment concludes there is a clear risk certain military exports to Israel might be used in violations of International Humanitarian Law," it noted.

However, it stated that the suspension will not change the UK’s "steadfast support for Israel’s security," and that the decision will be kept under review.

"The government has concluded there is a clear risk that items exported to Israel under these 30 licences might be used in serious violations of IHL and is therefore suspending certain exports immediately from today."

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said in the statement that by suspending these licenses, he is fulfilling the government's commitment to avoiding the risk of UK exports being used in IHL violations during the Gaza conflict.

"There will remain however an important commitment to maintaining the F-35 programme which is integral to international security," he added.

The foreign secretary also announced sanctions against three individuals within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Quds Force and an IRGC unit – for "threatening the stability of the Middle East."

Unlike the US, the UK does not directly supply Israel with arms but it does grant export licenses for British companies to sell arms to Israel.

Israel has continued its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas last Oct. 7, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

The onslaught has resulted in over 40,700 Palestinian deaths, mostly women and children, and over 94,100 injuries, according to local health authorities.