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The UK government has suspended some of its arms shipments to Israel due to concerns about the ongoing conflict in Gaza and civilian casualties. In a speech to the British Parliament, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy cited “the risk that some of the weapons being exported may violate international law” as the reason for the decision.
According to the decision, the UK halted the sale of 30 out of 350 export licenses to Israel, including parts for aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles “assessed to be used in the current conflict in Gaza”, as well as products used in ground operations.
As the UK accounts for only 1 percent of Israel’s arms imports, the measure is symbolic, but the move from a staunch ally is a harsh diplomatic blow to Israel. Britain’s move has the potential to encourage other countries to take similar steps.
While not as bold as those calling for a halt to the Israeli bombardment demanded, it was seen as a positive step under Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Starmer has continued to fund UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, which was cut off by a number of states, including the UK, at Israel’s request after October 7. It also withdrew London’s objection to a request by the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Problems and reactions to the decision
Despite this partial suspension of arms exports on humanitarian grounds, Foreign Minister Lammy assured that Israel’s overall security would not be jeopardized. He stressed that this decision was “not a determination of innocence or guilt” and reiterated that they recognize “Israel’s right to defend itself”.
In this context, the decision did not affect the UK components of the F-35 fighter jets held by Israel. It is estimated that these components make up 15 percent of the jets Israel is using to bomb Gaza and include some of the most important British equipment for the Israeli military.
Many have criticized the UK’s decision to make only a partial decision on arms exports to Israel, despite the fact that Israel’s attacks on Gaza have violated international humanitarian law. This partial decision, which can be seen as a deliberate disregard of international law, is a step that risks the UK continuing to be complicit in war crimes, as it documents the British government’s continued export of ammunition and equipment despite the fact that Israel, as an occupying power, has failed to fulfill its duty to ensure the survival of Palestinians in Gaza and has admitted that Israel mistreats prisoners.
On the other hand, this suspension, even if partial, could increase pressure on Israel’s other allies to take similar actions and could have a negative impact on the UK’s relations with the United States government. London has long aligned itself with its ally Washington on Israel policy. But the new center-left British government elected in July has indicated that it may adopt a more independent approach.
Prime Minister Starmer, a former human rights lawyer and prosecutor, is under pressure from supporters to speak out about the rising civilian death toll in Gaza and to condemn Israel more strongly. However, at a time of heightened global tensions, London will not want to enter a new crisis with the United States at the same time as it seeks to maintain relations with Europe.
The UK’s decision to impose a partial arms embargo has been met with a backlash in Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu interpreted this as “Britain’s wrong decision will further embolden Hamas”, as they categorically characterize every step against their actions and policies. The decision was portrayed by Israel as “a decision that will not weaken its own army, but will tactically expose British helplessness in the defense of the West”.
Developments in arms shipments from other suppliers
The United States and Germany, which provide 99 percent of Israel’s weapons, continue their deliveries. In a tradition dating back to former President Lyndon Johnson, the US provides $3.8 billion in annual military aid under agreements aimed at maintaining Israel’s “qualitative military superiority” over its neighbors.
However, the US administration has allegedly made more than 100 other military sales to Israel since the beginning of the Gaza offensive, in amounts that do not require formal notification of Congress.
US President Joe Biden and Democratic Party representatives and supporters in Congress halted arms shipments to Israel for the first time in May over concerns about Israel’s plans to launch a ground invasion of the southern Gaza town of Rafah. In the meantime, Netanyahu ran a highly negative campaign against Biden until he withdrew his candidacy to run for President again. Subsequently, many new shipments of ammunition to Israel took place and in the latest package, Congress approved F-15 fighter jets, armored vehicles and various ammunition to be delivered to Israel in 2026.
Germany, the second largest military aid donor to Israel after the United States, exported $354 million worth of arms to Israel in 2023, a 10-fold increase on the previous year. These sales include portable anti-tank weapons and ammunition shells for automatic or semi-automatic firearms. But because of these exports, Germany was the subject of two lawsuits during the year.
In April, Nicaragua argued at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague that Germany was complicit in Israel’s war crimes because of these arms exports. The Court rejected Nicaragua’s request for a general ban on German arms exports to Israel. In June, the Berlin Administrative Court dismissed a complaint alleging that Germany’s exports to Israel violated the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).
Both decisions were influenced by figures showing that German arms exports to Israel have effectively stopped. From January to May of this year, Germany granted Israel military export licenses worth just over €10 million, most of it allegedly for equipment such as helmets and protective vests.
Several countries, including Canada, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands, have announced that they have halted all arms exports to Israel in recent months due to Israeli attacks on Palestinians. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in January that Rome would not send any more arms to Israel. However, the government later agreed that existing agreements would be respected.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said in January that Spain had not sold arms to Israel since October 7. In May, the government banned ships carrying arms to Israel from docking in Spanish ports.
In February, a Dutch court ordered the government to stop supplying Israel with F-35 fighter jet parts because of the risk of serious violations of international humanitarian law. However, the ruling did not cover components shipped to countries such as the US, which could then be delivered to Israel.
This article has been published by Anadolu Agency (in Turkish) on September 12, 2024.
