UK to cancel arms sales to Israel if fighting restarts

British Business Secretary Vince Cable says London will void 12 export licenses for arms to Israel if hostilities with Gaza resume.

“We welcome the current ceasefire in Gaza and hope that it will lead to a peaceful resolution. However, the UK government has not been able to clarify if the export licence criteria are being met,” Cable says. “In light of that uncertainty, we have taken the decision to suspend these existing export licences in the event of a resumption of significant hostilities.”

The licenses cover components for radar systems, combat aircraft and tanks, according to British media reports.

The announcement from the Lib Dem minister has drawn some blowback from politicians and activists who had pushed for an arms embargo regardless of whether fighting resumed.

A Lib Dem spokesperson says the announcement was the result of negotiations with Conservatives, the Huffington Post reports.