Is the UK Halting Arms Sales to Israel or Just Reviewing Its Policy?
the government maintains that there has been no change in its arms export policy, despite claims of a secret arms embargo by the new administration
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, yesterday. Photo: REUTERS/Toby Melville
The British government announced on Monday that there has been no change in its policy regarding issuing arms export licenses to Israel. However, the Jewish Chronicle reported that the government has already begun suspending the issuance of licenses while government departments conduct a comprehensive review of the policy in this area.
The British newspaper reported that since 2008, the UK has sold military equipment to Israel, including parts for F-15, F-16, and F-35 aircraft. The London government stated this week that there has been no change in policy: “We continue to assess applications for arms export licenses on a case-by-case basis according to established criteria.” British Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced that his country would review the arms sales procedures for Israel and inform Parliament once the review is completed.
The Daily Mail reported last week that the new Labour government has imposed a secret arms embargo on Israel, and that government officials have frozen new arms trade requests. Human rights organizations have criticized this, claiming that the British government is complicit in Israeli war crimes by not halting arms sales to Israel.
Official data from the UK Department for Trade indicate that since October 7, more than 100 requests for arms deals, military equipment, and other products to Israel have been approved. Since May of this year, 345 requests for arms supplies to Israel have been pending in government offices.
the government maintains that there has been no change in its arms export policy, despite claims of a secret arms embargo by the new administration
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, yesterday. Photo: REUTERS/Toby Melville
The British government announced on Monday that there has been no change in its policy regarding issuing arms export licenses to Israel. However, the Jewish Chronicle reported that the government has already begun suspending the issuance of licenses while government departments conduct a comprehensive review of the policy in this area.
The British newspaper reported that since 2008, the UK has sold military equipment to Israel, including parts for F-15, F-16, and F-35 aircraft. The London government stated this week that there has been no change in policy: “We continue to assess applications for arms export licenses on a case-by-case basis according to established criteria.” British Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced that his country would review the arms sales procedures for Israel and inform Parliament once the review is completed.
The Daily Mail reported last week that the new Labour government has imposed a secret arms embargo on Israel, and that government officials have frozen new arms trade requests. Human rights organizations have criticized this, claiming that the British government is complicit in Israeli war crimes by not halting arms sales to Israel.
Official data from the UK Department for Trade indicate that since October 7, more than 100 requests for arms deals, military equipment, and other products to Israel have been approved. Since May of this year, 345 requests for arms supplies to Israel have been pending in government offices.
