The government must clarify its position on issuing new arms export licences to Israel. Amid media reports that export licensing officials have suspended the processing of new applications for arms exports to Israel, government has repeatedly been quoted as stating there has been “no change” in its approach. This failure to clearly articulate the current status of the UK’s arms export licencing regime compounds impunity for Israel’s genocide against Palestinians, and is against the public interest.
Despite what some reports have claimed, the UK does not have an “arms embargo” in place, and continues to supply UK components and equipment for use in Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza. As long as the government refuses to sufficiently explain its position, it allows incorrect reports of an embargo to spread while UK continues to supply arms and components to Israel. Most importantly, existing licences in place include the Open General licence that allows unlimited deliveries of components for Israel’s F-35 combat aircraft, which they are using on a daily basis to bomb Gaza, including with 2000lb bombs.
A suspension of export licences should have been initiated as soon as the UK government was aware of reports of Israel’s violations of international law, ten months ago. Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said the government are seeking new legal advice regarding Israel’s compliance with international law in their war in Gaza, to inform their decisions on whether to halt some or all arms exports to Israel. It has been reported that this review includes attempting to link specific weapons to specific incidents. Such a review should not be necessary, in the face of the overwhelming evidence of Israeli war crimes presented by the UN and numerous organisations on the ground.
The International Criminal Court’s Chief Prosecutor has requested arrest warrants for Israeli leaders for war crimes including “extermination”, while the ICJ has ruled that Israel’s actions could plausibly amount to genocide. Israel is continuing to obstruct the flow of aid to Gaza, leading to horrific levels of hunger and disease.
CAAT’s Research Coordinator Sam Perlo-Freeman said:
“The case for an immediate arms embargo has been overwhelming for months, and the government’s review appears to be an exercise in kicking the can down the road, while desperately digging for some excuse to maintain the flow of F-35 components, by far the most significant of UK arms sales to Israel.
“A possible suspension of processing of new licence applications could indicate at least that the government is serious in its intent to consider a change in policy. CAAT urges the government to implement a full two-way arms embargo on Israel immediately, as the most concrete step the UK can take to bring an end to this obscene slaughter.”
