UK chief rabbi denounces government decision to partially suspend arms exports licenses to Israel

The Chief Rabbi of the UK Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis denounces the decision taken by the British government to suspend 30 out of some 350 arms export licenses to Israel.

In a statement on X, Mirvis says that it “beggars belief” that a decision such as this was made “at a time when Israel is fighting a war for its very survival on seven fronts forced upon it on the 7th October, and at the very moment when six hostages murdered in cold blood by cruel terrorists were being buried by their families. ”

He warns that the decision will “serve to encourage” enemies of Israel, and accuses it of feeding into “the falsehood that Israel is in breach of International Humanitarian Law, when in fact it is going to extraordinary lengths to uphold it.”

“Britain and Israel have so much to gain by standing together against our common enemies for the sake of a safer world. Surely that must be the way forward,” Mirvis adds.

It beggars belief that the British government, a close strategic ally of Israel, has announced a partial suspension of arms licences, at a time when Israel is fighting a war for its very survival on seven fronts forced upon it on the 7th October, and at the very moment when six…

— Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis (@chiefrabbi) September 2, 2024

Britain said Monday that it would immediately suspend dozens of arms export licenses due to the risk that the equipment could be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law.

Unlike the United States, Britain’s government does not give arms directly to Israel, but rather issues licenses for companies to sell weapons, with input from lawyers on whether they comply with international law.

The export licenses pertain to components for Israel’s aerial systems, including fighter jets, helicopters, and drones. It does not pertain to the F-35 program, which is a multinational project that pools parts before disbursing them to participating countries, including Israel.

The suspension could be lifted in the future if the UK assesses that the risk of violations has diminished.