Britain to suspend dozens of arms export licences to Israel
Foreign minister David Lammy said in a statement that Britain will be suspending 30 of its 350 arms export licenses with Israel due to concerns that these weapons may be used in serious violations of international humanitarian law.
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- Agencies and A News
- Published Date: 07:24 | 02 September 2024
- Modified Date: 07:24 | 02 September 2024
Britain will immediately suspend 30 arms export licenses out of the 350 it has with Israel because there is a risk such equipment might be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law, foreign minister David Lammy said on Monday.
During a speech in parliament, Lammy said that the decision comes following a review of export licenses for UK arms which found there was a "clear risk" that they would be used in a way that could breach international law.
"Facing a conflict such as this, it is this government's legal duty to review Britain's export licenses," said Lammy.
Around 30 of 350 licenses will be suspended, he noted, however adding: "This is not a blanket ban, this is not an arms embargo."
The British government has been under fire over continuing arms export licenses to Israel.
In June, the Department for Business and Trade said the UK has issued 108 arms export licenses to Israel since Oct. 7-when the Gaza conflict began-while over 300 licenses were still active, according to the data prior to Monday's decision.