According to UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, the government would halt some arm sales to Israel owing to a “distinct threat” that these arms may be used for gross transgressions against international humanitarian law.
This decision follows an extensive analysis of export licenses for UK arms, which brought out about 30 out of 350 that were seen as having high risk. Lammy emphasized that this is not a blanket ban or arms embargo, but a targeted measure aimed at making sure that there is respect for international law.
In reaction to this, the British government has faced growing pressure to reconsider its stand on arms exportation to Israel amid the ongoing war in Gaza. While the UK does not directly supply weapons to Israel, it allows its companies to sell arms using export licenses.
In a statement to the Commons, Lammy underscored the fact that it was obligatory under law for the government to evaluate these export licenses in regards to the conflict. He made it clear that such an evaluation did not imply that Israel was violating humanitarian laws, but rather was a forward-looking measure to prevent possible future contraventions.
