The UK government’s suspension affects 30 out of 350 arms export licences to Israel, which includes components for military aircraft, helicopters, and drones. David Lammy, the foreign secretary, said a two-month review revealed a ‘clear risk’ that these UK arms might be used in ways that violate international humanitarian law.
John Healey emphasised the government’s decision was more about adhering to the rule of law rather than favouring any particular side in the conflict and insisted the suspension would not undermine Israel’s security.
The defence secretary told Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant before the suspension was publicly announced that it did not alter the UK’s commitment to Israel’s right to self-defence affirming “we are a staunch ally of Israel, we remain a staunch ally of Israel.”
He also addressed the timing of the announcement, which coincided with the burial of six hostages executed by Hamas, saying that it was dictated by Parliament’s schedule and the conclusion of the review.
Despite calls from some within the Labour Party for a complete ban on arms sales to Israel, Healey rejected this idea, saying ‘I don’t accept that call’. He explained that the suspension targets specific components used for ‘offensive purposes’ in the Gaza conflict, rather than a blanket restriction on all military exports.
The Labour Friends of Israel group said they were ‘deeply concerned.’
“We fear therefore that these restrictions risk encouraging Israel’s enemies, leading to greater escalation rather than deescalation.”
The debate over the UK’s partial arms export suspension has raised questions about the symbolic versus practical implications of the decision. Tobias Ellwood, a former Tory MP and defence minister, suggested that the suspension is largely symbolic and would not significantly impact Israel’s military capabilities. Speaking to Sky News, Ellwood claimed while the decision was made in compliance with legal obligations, it is unlikely to materially affect Israel’s ability to conduct military operations.
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: “It beggars belief that the British Government, a close strategic ally of Israel, has announced a partial suspension of arms licences at a time when Israel is fighting a war for its very survival on seven fronts forced upon it on the 7 October, and at the very moment when six hostages murdered in cold blood by cruel terrorists were being buried by their families.”
Boris Johnson expressed his disapproval through a social media post, stating, “Hamas is still holding many innocent Jewish hostages while Israel tries to prevent a repeat of the 7th October massacre. Why are Lammy and Starmer abandoning Israel? Do they want Hamas to win?” Johnson’s comments suggest that he sees the suspension as a weakening of the UK’s support for Israel in its ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick added, “This is shameful gesture politics to appease the hard left. Sir Keir has put party management first, and Britain’s interests second.”
Suspended Labour MP Zarah Sultana said the UK government’s suspension of 30 out of 350 arms licences is ‘too limited’, but thinks the decision ‘appears to show the UK has finally accepted the clear and overwhelming evidence of Israeli war crimes in Gaza.’
Green MP Ellie Chowns wants to know why other licences were exempt from the suspension. “I am very concerned that the government is not consistently applying the principle that there is a clear risk of UK licensed weapons being used in breach of international humanitarian law,” she said.
