Israeli officials are furious over the United Kingdom’s decision to immediately halt some of its arms exports to Israel, as they could be used for a “serious violation” of international humanitarian law in the country’s war in Gaza.
UK Foreign Minister David Lammy said Monday that the government will stop 30 of the 350 arms export licenses with Israel due to a “clear risk” some weapons might be used to “commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law” in the embattled enclave.
The suspended export licenses are for such equipment as military fighter jet, helicopter and drone parts, and other items used for ground targeting, Lammy told UK lawmakers.
He stressed that the decision was “not a determination of innocence or guilt” over whether Israel had broken international law, and also wasn’t an arms embargo.
“We recognize, of course, Israel’s need to defend itself against security threats, but we are deeply worried by the methods that Israel’s employed, and by reports of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure particularly,” Lammy told Parliament.
But the move — while not a serious development as UK exports make up less than 1 percent of arms Israel receives from other countries — is nonetheless a clear move to pressure Israel to end its conflict against Hamas in Gaza.
UK Defense Secretary John Healey stood by the decision when he said his country had a duty “to tell the hardest truths” to its “closest friends.”
Israeli officials, however, were not pleased, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant writing on X on Monday that he was “Deeply disheartened” to learn of the sanctions.
And Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Tuesday called Britain’s decision “shameful.”
The UK’s “shameful decision will not change Israel’s determination to defeat Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organization that savagely murdered 1200 people on October 7, including 14 British citizens,” according to the statement.
Netanyahu’s office also said Britain’s “misguided decision” will embolden Hamas.
“With or without British arms, Israel will win this war and secure our common future,” the statement adds.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz, meanwhile, also said the move “sends a very problematic message” to Hamas and Iran.
Israeli and Palestinian officials are both being investigated for alleged war crimes following the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas in Israel, estimated to have killed some 1,200 people.
Palestinian health authorities say Israel’s brutal air and ground campaign in response has killed more than 40,700 Palestinians.
