"Possibility of Violation of International Law" UK Partially Suspends Arms Exports to Israel

The United Kingdom has decided to suspend some arms export licenses to Israel due to the possibility of violating international law.

According to The Guardian and others, Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced on the 2nd (local time) in the House of Commons that the UK government has immediately suspended about 30 export licenses to Israel, including military aircraft parts. Lammy explained, "Unfortunately, after review, we concluded that there is a clear risk that certain items exported to Israel could be used to seriously violate or facilitate violations of international humanitarian law."

The UK government had issued a total of 350 export licenses to Israel for British companies. This measure, decided after about two months of internal review since the launch of the Keir Starmer Labour government, includes parts for military aircraft, helicopters, and drones. However, British-made parts for the multinational F-35 fighter jet program were excluded, as including them could seriously impact international security by affecting the operation of F-35 fighter jets in other countries.

In August, David Lammy, the UK Foreign Secretary, who visited Jerusalem, is seen holding hands with Israel's Foreign Minister Katz and France's Foreign Minister St?phane S?journ?.
[Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]

This decision is seen as reflecting the changed UK policy since the Starmer government took office, as well as the significantly increased Western pressure on Israel. Major foreign media noted that since the war between Israel and the Palestinian armed group Hamas began in the Gaza Strip in October last year, the UK is the first major Western ally to suspend some arms sales to Israel.

The UK is not a major arms exporter to Israel like the United States or Germany. As of 2022, the export volume was about 42 million pounds (approximately 74 billion KRW), accounting for only about 1% of Israel's arms imports. However, diplomatically, it inevitably represents a significant blow. The Guardian reported that this move could cause tensions not only with Israel but also with the United States, as it marks a shift from the closely coordinated stance with the Joe Biden administration regarding Israel.

Foreign Secretary Lammy emphasized, "The UK continues to support Israel's right to self-defense under international law," and clarified that this decision does not mean a complete ban or arms embargo. Describing himself as a liberal progressive Zionist, he also said, "We have not and cannot arbitrate whether Israel has violated international humanitarian law."

Israel immediately protested. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a statement, "We are very disappointed to hear about the UK government's sanctions on export licenses for Israel's defense," adding, "This decision was made at a time when we are fighting a war on seven fronts. It is a war started without provocation by a barbaric terrorist organization." Israeli Foreign Minister Katz also criticized the UK's decision on X (formerly Twitter), saying it "sends a very problematic message to the terrorist organization Hamas and Iran's proxies."