According to British foreign minister David Lammy, the country would immediately suspend 30 of its 350 arms export licenses with Israel due to concerns that the equipment could be used to commit grave breaches of international humanitarian law.
According to Lammy, the decision to revoke the licenses only applied to those that could be used in the ongoing fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Palestinian territory of Gaza, not to a general prohibition or arms embargo.
Lammy declared he would update an assessment of weaponry sales to Israel, Britain’s ally, to make sure these comply with international law shortly after the Labour Party won an election in July. “We recognise, of course, Israel’s need to defend itself against security threats, but we are deeply worried by the methods that Israel’s employed, and by reports of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure particularly,” Lammy told parliament.
“It is with regret that I inform the House (of Commons, lower house of parliament) 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,” Lammy further said.
Less than 1% of Israel’s overall weaponry supply comes from British exports, and the minister assured that the suspension would not materially affect Israel’s security and that Britain will continue to defend Israel’s right to self-defense.
The decision, according to Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz, is disheartening and “sends a very problematic message” to Iran, the home base of the Islamist militant group Hamas.
Following the 1,200-person death toll from Hamas’ strikes in southern Israel on October 7, both Israeli and Palestinian leaders are under investigation for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity are Palestinian health authorities report that over 40,700 individuals have died as a result of the Israeli response in Gaza.
