UK Arms Embargo: What’s at Stake for Israel Amid Gaza Conflict
UK Suspends Some Arms Exports to Israel Amid Humanitarian Concerns
The British government has suspended licences for the export of some weapons to Israel, citing concerns that these arms could be used to violate international humanitarian law.
The decision comes amid ongoing international criticism of Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip, where over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed. However, human rights groups and experts argue that the move does not go far enough, as it exempts key F-35 fighter jet components.
International Reaction
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the suspension of 30 out of 350 arms export licences to Israel, covering weapons that could be used in the Gaza war. The move includes parts for military aircraft such as fighter jets, helicopters, and drones, but excludes parts for the F-35 fighter jet unless they are shipped directly to Israel.
Independent MP Jeremy Corbyn questioned the government’s involvement in drone operations over Gaza and whether Israel has been using British military bases in Cyprus to fly its aircraft. Lammy reiterated that Britain provides less than 1% of the total weapons Israel receives.
Amnesty International criticized the decision, stating that it is “full of loopholes and insufficient.” The organization believes that the continued supply of F-35 fighter parts to Israel is “a catastrophic failure in the field of arms control and justice.”
Exemption of F-35 Fighter Jet Components
The British government justified the exemption of F-35 fighter jet parts from the ban, citing concerns that any suspension of supply would have a significant impact on the global F-35 fleet and international peace and security.
However, a study by the UK-based Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) found that at least 15% of the value of every US-made F-35 fighter jet is produced in the UK. This raises concerns that the exemption could be used to circumvent the ban and continue supplying Israel with F-35 components.
Impact on Israel’s Actions
Arms trade researcher Anna Stavrianakis noted that the decision acknowledges the “clear risk” that weapons and parts supplied to Israel by Britain could be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law. However, the exemption for F-35 fighter jet parts creates a “huge loophole” that weakens the government’s position.
Stavrianakis emphasized that the UK’s contribution to Israel’s genocidal war is significant, particularly through the supply of F-35 fighter jet components. She argued that the UK should not provide any weapons to Israel or offer military assistance or collaboration, citing the UK’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
UK Position Under Labour
The current Labour government has taken a different stance on Israel compared to its predecessor. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has resumed funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) and will no longer challenge the ICC prosecutor’s application for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Galant.
Previous Suspensions of Arms Sales to Israel
This is not the first time the UK has suspended arms sales to Israel. Previous instances include:
- Conservative Prime Minister Edward Heath halted arms supplies to Israel and its Arab opponents during the Arab-Israeli War in October 1973.
- Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher imposed an arms embargo on Israel that lasted 12 years until 1994.
- Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair secretly imposed an arms embargo on Israel to prevent weapons that could have been used to strike the occupied Palestinian territories during the second Palestinian uprising in 2002.
- Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown revoked export licenses for weapons for the Israeli navy’s missile boats after Israel launched an attack on Gaza in 2009.
- Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron suspended 12 export licences for weapons parts because they could have been used during Israel’s 2014 military assault on Gaza.