This suspension affects components for military aircraft, including fighter jets, helicopters, and drones.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “Facing a conflict such as this, it is this government’s legal duty to review Britain’s export licences.
“It is with regret that I inform the House today the assessment I have received leaves me unable to conclude anything other than that for certain UK arms exports to Israel, there does exist a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.”
According to the Foreign Office, the two-month review, which was ordered by Labour when they took office on 5 July, raised concerns regarding Israel’s actions during the Gaza conflict.
While no definitive conclusion has been drawn about the role of UK arms export licenses in the destruction within the region, the Foreign Office expressed deep concern over the extensive destruction and high number of civilian casualties.
Officials stress that this is not an arms embargo and that the government’s assessment is not intended to influence the outcomes of investigations by international courts, such as the ICJ and ICC.
Mr Lammy added that the decision will be kept under review and ‘the UK continues to support Israel’s right to self-defence in accordance with international law’.
“This is a forward-looking evaluation, not a determination of innocence or guilt,” he added.
Shadow foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell said he will ‘look carefully’ at the limited embargo that has been announced.
The government has faced increasing pressure to adopt a firmer position against Israel during the conflict in Gaza.
While the UK does not directly supply weapons to Israel, it does issue export licenses that allow British companies to sell arms to the nation.
