UK suspends arms sale licenses to 'Israel' 'pending review'
3 Min Read
The license process has been complicated in the UK, as ministers aim to distinguish between arms sold to 'Israel' for offensive and defensive purposes.
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Pro-Palestinian protesters gather with placards and flags, including a banner reading "Resist! Return!," at a National March For Palestine in central London on November 11, 2023. (AFP)
UK civil servants have suspended proceedings of arms export licenses for sales to "Israel" awaiting a pending governmental review of the issue.
A fixed date for the completion of the review concerning UK arms sales to the occupation has not been set due to the increased complication of the review, amid supposed allegations that this partnership violates international humanitarian law due to "Israel's" daily assault on Gaza. Ultimately, the ministers aim to distinguish weapons used for offensive and defensive purposes in the war on Gaza.
Government sources claim a fixed date is yet to be scheduled since the ministers are taking time to ensure the legality and compliance with arms export licensing laws.
Back in June, the former Conservative government announced that 108 licenses had been granted for the occupation between October 7 and the end of May however, the license values have not been revealed.
Pending applications for exporters
The Department for Business and Trade has informed exporters seeking arms sales licenses that applications are currently suspended due to the pending review, while sources from Whitehall claimed this process should not have a policy change.
“There has been no change in our approach to export licenses to "Israel," a business department spokesperson said. "We continue to review export license applications on a case-by-case basis against strategic export licensing criteria.”
Following a freedom of information request, Christian Aid disclosed that between October 7 and May 31, 20 companies were granted individual export licenses for military equipment to the Israeli occupation, while 30 other firms have outstanding applications for military export licenses.
The department informed Christian Aid that obtaining a license does not necessarily indicate that export has occurred since some permits may expire without being used, while others may expire after partial use.
“The only way to categorically ensure arms sold to Israel are not used in violation of human rights is with a black-and-white ban," Christian Aid Head William Bell said, asserting "That is what this new government should be ready to do. No ifs and buts. It is frankly reprehensible for any company to make a profit from this war.”
UK to delay decision on banning arms sales to 'Israel' for weeks
The UK is expected to decide on the imposition of an arms embargo on "Israel" in the upcoming weeks following a probe reviewing the evidence of the occupation's war crimes against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, The Times reported last Monday.
Newly-appointment Foreign Minister David Lammy is under pressure from backbench Labour Party members to announce a complete ban on arms sale to "Israel," which was speculated to occur this week, according to The Times.
However, the decision could take longer as ministers are aiming to suspend export licenses for specific weapons linked to the occupation's war crimes in Gaza, a probe that is expected to take weeks.
The contentious arms sales have strained the relationship between the UK and the occupation after the Labour government's assumed power, countering the former Conservative government's lenient decisions and support of "Israel" and its ongoing genocide in Gaza.
