The UK's decision to suspend 30 of its 350 arms export licenses to the Israeli occupation would have no "material impact" on Israel's security, the British Defense Minister said on Tuesday.
Speaking to Times Radio, John Healey disclosed that the suspension decision "will not have a material impact on Israel's security," adding that he revealed the decision to his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant before it was announced,
Healey explained how he told Gallant, "We have a duty to follow the law, but this does not alter our unshakable commitment to support Israel’s right to self-defense and to the defense of Israel."
Following the news, Gallant expressed severe disappointment with the UK's decision, and Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz claimed that the suspension sends a "very problematic message" to Hamas and other Resistance movements.
When questioned by the BBC why components for F-35 warplanes are not included in the suspension, Healey stated that there was a "deliberate carve out" for the jets, which are used by 20 countries worldwide, citing that "the UK makes important, critical components for all those jets that go into a global pool" and explaining that it's "hard to distinguish" what parts would go into Israeli jets.
Healey went on to dismiss claims that the suspension was a political gesture by the administration explaining that "this is a global supply chain, with the UK a vital part of that supply chain. We are not prepared to put at risk the operation of fighter jets that are central to our own UK security, that of our allies and of NATO."
Meanwhile, Hannah Bond, co-CEO of ActionAid UK, is among those demanding the British government halt all new and existing arms licenses to "Israel", arguing that the UK risks being “complicit” in the daily atrocities being committed in Gaza.
"Now is not the time for half measures: if the UK government believes the Israeli military may be breaching international humanitarian law in Gaza, then it should go much further and halt all new and existing arms licenses to the Israeli government immediately," Bond said in a statement.
"Until it does, the UK remains at risk of being complicit in the atrocities taking place in Gaza daily. After 11 months of horror, it’s time for the UK to apply maximum pressure on the Israeli government to secure a permanent ceasefire and the release of the hostages – and finally put an end to this nightmare," she added.
The British government announced Monday the immediate suspension of 30 out of its 350 arms export licenses with the Israeli occupation, citing concerns that the equipment might be used in ways that violate international humanitarian law, Foreign Minister David Lammy announced after a review of arms sales to the occupying regime, particularly in the context of the ongoing war on Gaza.
Lammy emphasized that this suspension does not amount to a blanket ban or an arms embargo but is a targeted measure. "It is with regret that I inform the House of Commons today that the assessment I have received leaves me unable to conclude anything other than that for certain UK arms exports to Israel, there exists a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law," Lammy stated.
The suspended licenses involve components for military aircraft, including fighter jets, helicopters, and drones, which could potentially be used in the ongoing genocide. Despite this action, Lammy assured that British arms exports constitute less than 1% of the total arms the Israeli occupation receives, and the suspension is unlikely to have a significant impact in light of the war.
Lammy reiterated the UK's support for the Israeli occupation's "right to defend itself" provided it aligns with international law. Unlike the United States, the UK does not provide arms directly to the Israeli occupation but issues licenses for companies to sell weapons.
Since October 7, 2023, Israeli occupation forces have continued their assault on the Gaza Strip by land, sea, and air. The ongoing genocide has resulted in the martyrdom of at least 40,786 individuals, the majority of whom are women and children, and left 94,224 others injured. This toll remains provisional, as rescue teams are still unable to reach thousands of victims trapped under rubble and in the streets.