UK suspends some licenses of arms sales to Israel, but denies it amounts to an embargo

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy announces that the United Kingdom will suspend some licenses for arms sales to Israel, but denies that the move amounts to an arms embargo.

The decision will suspend 30 licenses, out of the around 350 that the UK has granted for companies to sell to Israel, says Lammy.

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.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Lammy says that the decision comes in the wake of a review of UK arms export licenses, which found a “clear risk” that some “might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.”

“Facing a conflict such as this, it is this government’s legal duty to review Britain’s export licenses,” he explains.

“This is not a blanket ban. This is not an arms embargo.”

The decision was formally made by Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, with Lammy’s backing.

Lammy’s Labour party instituted a review of the licenses after they returned to power in July, and Lammy visited Israel twice since assuming office.

British officials have not said that Israel is violating humanitarian law, but believe there is a serious risk, according to the two-month assessment.

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