What’s Behind the UK’s Decision to Suspend Some Arms Shipments to Israel?

September 4, 2024

by: Itamar Eichner ~ Ynetnews

Wednesday, 4 September 2024 | The day after the UK announced the suspension of 30 arms export licenses to Israel, new details have emerged about the behind-the-scenes process leading to the decision. Ultimately, the British move, though disappointing, is seen as the lesser evil and could have been far more severe.

The UK is a relatively minor arms supplier to Israel, accounting for less than 1% of Israel’s total arms imports. Each year, the UK approves around 350 arms licenses for defense companies, with 90 of those for the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]. The suspension of 30 licenses represents just 8% of the total.

British officials emphasize that this decision will not affect Israel’s ability to defend itself, a point confirmed by Israeli sources, who acknowledge that while the decision sends a negative signal to Israel’s enemies, it won’t cause operational harm to the IDF. The suspended licenses involve parts for F-16 fighter jets, drones, naval systems and targeting equipment. Israel can easily source these parts from other countries.

So, what prompted the UK to make this decision? British authorities concluded there was a risk that the arms they supply to Israel could be used in ways that violate international humanitarian law, imposing a legal obligation on them to halt sales.

Could the licenses be reinstated? British officials say it’s possible. The review process is ongoing, and if Israel improves humanitarian access and allows visits to detainees, the licenses could be restored.

Senior British officials stressed that there is no change in the UK’s full support for Israel’s right to self defense. “We sent aircraft to protect Israel from the Iranian attack on April 14, and publicly stated that if Iran attacks again, we will protect Israel. That commitment remains unchanged,” an official said.

“After a rigorous process in line with the UK’s legal obligations, the government concluded there is a clear risk that military exports to Israel, used in operations in Gaza, could be involved in serious violations of international humanitarian law. Continuing such exports would be inconsistent with our strategic export licensing criteria,” said UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, who signed off on the license suspensions.

“While Israel has the capability to comply with international humanitarian law, and its senior officials have affirmed their commitment to do so, significant doubts remain about their track record,” Reynolds added. “As a result, I was advised that there is a clear risk that some UK exports to Israel could be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law.”

“The government condemned Hamas’s barbaric attack on October 7 and supports Israel’s right to defend itself in line with international law. This is not a blanket ban but is targeted at specific licenses that could be used in Gaza operations. The evaluation of Israel’s commitment to international humanitarian law will continue, particularly regarding the provision of food and medical supplies to civilians in Gaza and the treatment of detainees, and could change over time to allow for the reinstatement of these licenses.”

The UK emphasizes there is no comparison between Hamas terrorists and Israel’s democratic government. The UK remains committed to supporting Israel’s self defense, but to issue arms export licenses, it must assess Israel’s compliance with international humanitarian law, despite the abhorrence of Hamas’s tactics and ideology. The UK decided to exempt spare parts for F-35 fighter jets from the suspension, citing contractual obligations and commitments to the US.

“It is not currently possible to suspend F-35 component licenses for Israel without impacting the entire global F-35 program, including its broader strategic role in NATO and our support for Ukraine. This government is unwavering in its commitment to security, not just for this country, but for our allies around the world, especially at a time of global insecurity and increased volatility,” according to Reynolds.

Chairman of the Knesset [parliament] Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Knesset lawmaker Yuli Edelstein, urged Israel to “develop a better and more comprehensive domestic capability to produce and develop weapons. The success of companies like Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit, Rafael and others demonstrates not only the creativity and innovation Israel can achieve but also proves a clear economic benefit.”

Posted on September 4, 2024

Source: (This article originally published by Ynetnews on September 3, 2024. Time-related language has been modified to reflect our republication today. See original article at this link.)

Photo Credit: Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street/wikimedia.org

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