UK announces partial ban on arms exports to Israel

TDT | Manama

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Britain said yesterday it would suspend some arms exports to Israel, citing a “clear risk” that they could be used in a serious breach of international humanitarian law. Israel’s defence minister Yoav Gallant said he was “deeply disheartened” to hear of the sanctions but rights groups said the suspensions did not go far enough.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy told parliament that the UK would suspend 30 out of 350 arms exports licences following a review by his department into Israel’s conduct of its war against Hamas fighters.

He said the partial ban covered items “which could be used in the current conflict in Gaza”, including fighter aircraft, helicopters and drones.

The ban does not include parts for Israel’s advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets, Lammy added. Lammy announced a review looking at the arms sales shortly after Labour swept to power in a landslide general election victory over the Conservatives in early July.

“It is with regret that... 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,” he told lawmakers. He stressed that the situation would be kept under review.