Yesterday (3 September), foreign secretary David Lammy announced that the UK would withdraw 30 export licences in place to permit arms’ sales to Israel.
It follows an independent UK judicial review that found a “clear risk” of items sold under the licences being used to breach international humanitarian law in Gaza.
Licences
Thirty of the UK’s 350 licences to Israel have been suspended, with 320 still in place.
This decision will prevent UK firms from selling military components including parts used in the assembly of helicopters, drones and some fighter jets, to Israel.
In a press release, the government noted that components required for the assembly of F-35 fighter jets – one of the world's most advanced combat aircraft – can still be exported, arguing that any licence suspension that harms Israel’s F-35 fleet would have “serious implications for international peace and security”.
Trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds echoed this, stating that maintaining the fleet is “an important commitment”, which is “integral to international security”.
He added that, by suspending some licences, the UK is “fulfilling our commitment to avoiding the risk that UK exports could be used in [international humanitarian law] violations in the Gaza conflict”.
‘With regret’
In a statement delivered in Parliament, Lammy said:
“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.”
In the government’s statement he added the announcement was made “with regret” but that the UK has a “legal duty” to review export licences in light of the ongoing conflict:
“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”.
Response
The Israeli government immediately criticised the decision. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz described it as “disappointing” and said it sent a “very problematic message” to militant, Iranian-backed groups in the Middle East.
The previous UK government, led by Rishi Sunak, chose not to suspend any export licences to Israel.
While initially welcoming the decision yesterday, shadow foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell later commented that it seemed “designed to satisfy Labour’s backbenches, while at the same time not offending Israel, an ally in the Middle East”.
“I fear it will fail on both counts.”
Leadership contender Robert Jenrick was also critical, describing it as “shameful gesture politics to appease the hard left”.
Some human rights groups, such as Amnesty International, have criticised the licence suspensions for not going far enough and facilitating continued violations.
Judicial review
The UK government made the decision following an independent judicial review into Israel’s compliance with international humanitarian law, finding that the use of items sold under the suspended licences could constitute a violation.
Earlier this year, the UN’s top court, the International Court of Justice, found that such violations were ‘plausible’.
