Israel disappointed over UK’s suspension of arms licenses
Israeli soldiers are silhouetted as they stand on a tank, near the Israel-Gaza border, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Israel, May 2, 2024. (Reuters Photo)
Israel’s government has expressed “disappointment” following the United Kingdom’s decision to suspend approximately 30 out of 350 arms export licenses granted to the country.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning the UK’s move. Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz described the suspension as “disappointing” and argued that it sends a “troubling message” to Hamas and its supporters in Iran.
Katz further criticized recent decisions by the UK, including the suspension of arms sales, as having “disappointed” Israel.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also voiced his concerns on social media, stating that he felt “great sadness” over the UK’s restrictions on arms export licenses. He highlighted that the decision coincides with a period when Israel is engaged in conflicts on “seven different fronts.”
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the decision in a parliamentary speech, explaining that the suspension followed an assessment that identified a “clear risk” of arms licenses being used to facilitate serious breaches of international humanitarian law.
Lammy clarified that the suspension affects about 30 of the 350 licenses, and emphasized that this is not a general ban or arms embargo, but a review process in response to the conflict.
The UK’s decision comes amid ongoing criticism of its arms sales policy. Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s continuous assaults on Gaza and allegations of war crimes have drawn significant international and public scrutiny. Human rights organizations and independent bodies have accused the UK of “complicity in Israel’s war crimes” for not halting arms sales to the country.
According to data from the UK Department for Business and Trade, more than 100 export licenses for arms, military equipment, and other controlled goods to Israel have been approved since the start of the Gaza conflict.
