The new UK government has decided to take a controversial decision, aimed at calming the waters within the Labour Party, which have been in turmoil for months due to Keir Starmer’s lukewarm response to the Israeli attacks on Gaza, but which could strain relations between London and Washington. British Foreign Minister David Lammy announced in Parliament on Monday the suspension of 30 arms export licences to Israel.
Over the past two months, a Foreign Office team has been conducting an exhaustive review of the way Netanyahu’s government was conducting its war effort, with suspicions that British weapons were being used in operations in Gaza that could violate international humanitarian law. The investigation began before the Labour Party came to power after its landslide election victory on 4 July.
“I regret to have to inform this House [de los Comunes] “The report I have received leaves me no option but to conclude that, in the case of certain UK arms exports to Israel, there is a clear risk that they could be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law,” Lammy told MPs.
This decision has few practical consequences, but it has great symbolic weight, because it represents a serious diplomatic blow to Netanyahu’s government. The UK government does not sell weapons directly to Israel, but limits itself to granting export licences to arms companies. Currently, 350 licences have been granted, so the suspension affects less than 10% of all of them. The material included in the suspension consists mainly of components for military aircraft, including fighter planes, helicopters and drones.
The Foreign Office report avoids directly linking British arms to possible violations of humanitarian law in Gaza, but notes concern about the scale of the destruction in the strip and the number of civilian casualties. The report has focused on three areas: the provision of humanitarian aid and easy access to victims; the treatment of detainees; and the conduct of the military campaign. The investigators note that the Israeli authorities have not provided access to Palestinian prisoners, despite lengthy negotiations, to British judicial authorities or to members of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Knowing what’s happening outside means understanding what’s going to happen inside, so don’t miss anything.
KEEP READING
Once again, however, the Starmer government has tried to play both sides and try to preserve some semblance of balance in its decision, especially so as not to add tension to an ally such as the US government of Joe Biden, which has so far rejected any suspension of arms exports.
British government sources were quick to point out that the suspension of export licences did not in any way diminish the firm support for Israel and its right to defend itself against possible attacks. They also pointed out that on similar occasions other previous governments – such as those of Margaret Thatcher and Gordon Brown – had also taken the decision to suspend exports.
Follow all the international information atFacebook andXor inour weekly newsletter.
