The potential suspension of arms sales to Israel by the United Kingdom has been delayed until later in the summer, according to The Times. This delay comes as ministers conduct a thorough review of which weapon deliveries might be halted due to their possible connections to alleged Israeli war crimes in the ongoing military operations in Gaza.
The investigation and decision-making process is expected to span several weeks, as the UK government carefully considers the implications of halting arms exports. There is concern that an imminent decision could prompt other countries to reconsider their own arms supplies to Israel.
This review was initiated following an inquiry by a Green Party member of parliament, questioning whether all UK arms exports to Israel would be halted. In response, Foreign Minister David Lammy stated, “Israel is a country surrounded by people who would love to see its annihilation. It is being attacked by the Houthis, missiles are being fired from Hezbollah, notwithstanding the desire for Hamas to wipe Israel off the map.” Lammy argued that, for these reasons, a blanket ban on arms sales between the UK and Israel would not be appropriate.
UK Attorney General Richard Hermer KC recently visited Israel, following the government’s decision to lift previous objections to an International Criminal Court (ICC) request for an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Hermer has previously criticised Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories in the West Bank, describing it as “deeply damaging” and contrary to the values of tikkun olam [repairing the world].
Hermer was among prominent Jewish lawyers in the UK who, after October 7, called for Israeli restraint. Philippe Sands KC, another signatory and representative of Palestinians at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), has argued for a halt in UK arms sales to Israel, following an ICJ opinion on ending the occupation of the West Bank. However, the current UK government review of arms export licences does not include considerations regarding the West Bank.
In the past year, the UK exported £18.2 million ($23.4 million) worth of arms to Israel, including components for the Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jet, co-produced by Britain and the US. The potential revocation of export licences and the halt of F-35 sales could complicate the UK’s acquisition of additional F-35s and strain relations with the US. The F-35 is believed to have been used in the Gaza conflict, which local officials say has resulted in over 39,000 deaths.
Several countries, including Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Spain, and Belgium, have announced they will stop shipping weapons to Israel. Israel currently faces accusations of genocide at the ICJ.