UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – UK MPs demand answers from ministers over arms exports to Israel amid fears weapons could be used in Gaza despite partial export restrictions.
As reported by The Guardian, Parliament’s export oversight committee has summoned three ministers responsible for arms exports to Israel to clarify potential gaps in the rules.
MPs fear arms firms may exploit the UK’s partial export ban from last September to supply weapons to Israel for use in Gaza, breaching ministers’ commitments.
What did Liam Byrne say about UK arms licences to Israel?
Liam Byrne, chair of the business select committee, has summoned trade minister Douglas Alexander along with Foreign Office and Defence ministers for urgent clarifications. The request comes amid growing concerns over arms exports to Israel.
In a letter, Byrne expressed concerns over data published last Friday. Following Labour’s partial ban on arms exports, the UK still approved £127.6m in military licences for Israel in Q4 2024.
According to Campaign Against the Arms Trade, this figure is higher than the combined approvals from 2020 to 2023.
In his letter, he highlights that ministers assured MPs the ban targets equipment assessed for use in the Gaza conflict, such as critical components for military aircraft, helicopters, drones, and devices aiding ground targeting systems.
He seeks an explanation for the increase in arms shipments and their proportion destined for Israel.
Byrne further demanded statistics on licences that have been revised to omit Israel as the declared end user.
What did David Lammy say about the arms export figures to Israel?
During Commons questioning by independent Labour MP Zarah Sultana, Foreign Secretary David Lammy rejected the data and accused her of exaggerating the issue. He assured MPs that “arms are not getting to Israel that could be used in Gaza.”
Mr Lammy said,
“We have suspended negotiations with this Israeli government on a new free trade agreement,”
Adding,
“The Israeli government has a responsibility to intervene and halt these aggressive actions. Their consistent failure to act is putting Palestinian communities and the two-state solution in peril.”
What did Israel’s Foreign Ministry say about the UK’s trade suspension?
Reacting to the UK ending trade discussions, Israeli foreign ministry official Oren Marmorstein said,
“If, due to anti-Israel obsession and domestic political considerations, the British Government is willing to harm the British economy — that is its own prerogative.”
He condemned the sanctions linked to the West Bank, labelling them “unjustified and regrettable.”
The official said,
“The British Mandate ended exactly 77 years ago. External pressure will not divert Israel from its path in defending its existence and security against enemies who seek its destruction.”
What did Keir Starmer say about Gaza and the UK’s recent actions?
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the situation in Gaza as “intolerable”, framing it as the driving factor behind the UK’s recent policy decision.
He said,
“The current situation in which we are seeing the bombardment including of children, and the prospect of starvation, is just intolerable. Which is why, as I say, we are coordinating with our allies on this.”
What did the latest UK government data show regarding military exports to Israel?
The recent data reveals the government approved over £61 million in single-use license for military equipment intended for use in Israel. These licences covered categories including targeting systems, munitions, and components for military aircraft.
How did the UK government justify selling F-35 parts to Israel amid Gaza conflict concerns?
Last week, the High Court held a four-day judicial review of the UK government’s claims.
Officials argued it was lawful to sell F-35 fighter jet components indirectly to Israel, despite admitting those parts could be used in attacks on Gaza.