London will suspend around thirty export licences to Israel because “there is a clear risk” that these components will be used to violate international humanitarian law in Gaza.
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“There is a clear risk [que ces armes] are used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law [à Gaza].” The United Kingdom announced on Monday September 2 that it was suspending around thirty arms export licenses to Israel, out of a total of 350.
“The list of [exportations] suspended includes important components used in the composition of military aircraft, including fighter jets, helicopters and drones, as well as items facilitating ground targeting”Foreign Secretary David Lammy detailed before the British Parliament. The full list was not given, but the head of British diplomacy specified that it does not concern elements of the F-35 combat aircraft, except when they are delivered directly to Israel.
“This is not a blanket ban. It is not an embargo.”David Lammy insisted. This decision comes after a review of arms export licenses to Israel, which the head of British diplomacy had requested shortly after taking office in early July.
David Lammy also reiterated Israel’s right to defend itself and said the suspension was not “not a statement of innocence or guilt” of the Hebrew State. “We have not and will not be able to rule on whether Israel has violated international humanitarian law.”he said, adding that the UK “is not an international tribunal”.
“I am deeply disappointed to learn of the sanctions imposed by the British government on export licences” of weapons, reacted on X the Israeli Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant. For his part, the UK director of Amnesty International criticises decision “unfortunately too limited and full of gaps” : he points out in particular the exemption concerning the F-35s, whereas “F-35s are widely used in Gaza”. So the government “continues to risk being complicit in war crimes, apartheid, and possibly genocide”he added.