Britain will immediately suspend 30 of its 350 arms export licences with Israel because there was a risk such equipment might be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law, foreign minister David Lammy said on Monday.
It is with regret that I inform the House (of Commons, lower house of parliament) 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," Lammy said.
Among the items included under the arms export suspension will be components for military aircraft including fighter jets, helicopters and drones.
But, parts for F-35 fighters will be exempted, except where going directly to Israel, as the government said it was not possible to suspend these without prejudicing the jets' entire global programme.
"The government’s statement today that it is suspending 30 arms export licences to Israel is a belated, but welcome move, finally acting upon the overwhelming evidence of Israeli war crimes in Gaza," said Sam Perlo-Freeman, Research Coordinator for Campaign Against Arms Trade said.
"But exempting parts for Israel’s F-35 is utterly outrageous and unjustifiable."
It is with regret that I inform the House (of Commons, lower house of parliament) 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," Lammy said.
Among the items included under the arms export suspension will be components for military aircraft including fighter jets, helicopters and drones.
But, parts for F-35 fighters will be exempted, except where going directly to Israel, as the government said it was not possible to suspend these without prejudicing the jets' entire global programme.
"The government’s statement today that it is suspending 30 arms export licences to Israel is a belated, but welcome move, finally acting upon the overwhelming evidence of Israeli war crimes in Gaza," said Sam Perlo-Freeman, Research Coordinator for Campaign Against Arms Trade said.
"But exempting parts for Israel’s F-35 is utterly outrageous and unjustifiable."
