The UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced on Monday the immediate suspension of 30 out of 350 arms export licenses to Israel. This decision underscores concerns that the export of certain arms could pose risks of breaching international humanitarian law and the UK’s strategic export controls.
Lammy emphasized during his speech in the House of Commons that the suspension pertains only to a fraction of the total arms export licenses and does not constitute an arms embargo or blanket ban. According to Lammy, the suspension will continue to be reviewed while maintaining that it does not materially impact Israel’s security. The UK government’s Middle East policy prioritizes advancing peace, and Lammy reiterated that all arms exports are assessed against the risk of breaching international humanitarian law, a responsibility he holds as the foreign minister.
In response to the ongoing humanitarian situation, Lammy advised that Israel could take better measures to ensure the delivery of lifesaving food and medical supplies to civilians in Gaza. This announcement coincides with increasing pressure from UK rights organizations, which have urged the Labour government to halt arms supplies to Israel and address alleged complicity with Israeli actions in Gaza since Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s tenure began in July.
Further complicating the geopolitical landscape, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in July ruled that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory was unlawful, a breach of multiple international statutes including the Fourth Geneva Convention and the Hague Convention of 1907.
For more detailed information, you can access the full announcement on Jurist.