Britain announces partial ban on arms sales to Israel after pressure to take tougher stance
BRITAIN is suspending around 30 arms export licences to Israel, the Foreign Secretary has today announced.
David Lammy said he had no choice but to stop the shipments that could be used to “facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian laws”.
The Minister said it is “not a decision we take lightly” and that he continues to support Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas.
The 30 export licences – out of a total 350 – will impact the sales of kit like aircraft, helicopters and drones.
He said the decision follows a two-month internal review following serious concern about Israel’s conduct in Gaza.
But critics blasted the move and warned it could embolden Hamas terrorists.
DUP MP Sammy Wilson slammed: “The only people who will be overjoyed by this decision today are the Hamas terrorists who murdered in cold blood six hostages at the weekend.
“They have been handed a line of hope that this government will not stand firm in its defence of Israel’s right to defend himself.
“This is a bad decision, one that we will come to regret and one that has clearly come from a lot of pressure Labour MPs have come under in their seats.”
Former Tory MP Michael Fabricant railed that Labour was “caving in to the pro-Hamas brigade.”
Conservative MP Julian Lewis raised concerns over whether this would damage the UK’s crucial intelligence-sharing relationship with Israel.
Mr Lammy insisted he remains a champion for Israel and supports a two-state solution for an independent Palestine.
He added: “I have made this decision with regret – in sorrow not anger.”
Making a statement in the Commons, he said: “Facing a conflict such as this, it is this Government’s legal duty to review export licences.
“Criteria 2C of the strategic export licensing criteria states that the Government will not issue export licences if there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law.
“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.
“I have informed the Business and Trade secretary, and he is therefore today announcing the suspension of around 30 from a total of approximately 350 to Israel, as required under the export controls act.
“These include equipment that we assess is for use in the current conflict in Gaza.”
He also announced new sanctions on four Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps force targets.