The Government has taken the decision that the UK will suspend
arms export licences to Israel for use in military operations in
Gaza, following a review of Israel's compliance with
international humanitarian law.
The UK's robust export licensing criteria states that the
Government will not issue export licences if the items might be
used to commit or facilitate serious violations of International
Humanitarian Law.
The suspension will not change the UK's steadfast support for
Israel's security, and the decision will be kept under review.
On day one in office, the Foreign Secretary commissioned a
thorough review into Israel's compliance with International
Humanitarian Law, and has travelled to Israel twice since being
appointed to the role to understand the situation on the ground.
These assessments have led to serious concerns about aspects of
Israel's compliance, and the Government has concluded there is a
clear risk that items exported to Israel under these 30 licences
might be used in serious violations of IHL and is therefore
suspending certain exports immediately from today.
It comes after repeated calls by UK ministers for Israel to do
more to ensure lifesaving food and medical supplies reach
civilians in Gaza, and for improved treatment and access to
detainees.
Foreign Secretary said:
“Facing a conflict such as this, it is this Government's legal
duty to review export licences.
“It is with regret that I inform the House today, the assessment
I have received finds 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.
“Therefore today we are announcing the suspension of around 30
export licences to Israel as required under the Export Controls
frameworks.
“The UK continues to support Israel's right to self-defence in
accordance with international law.”
Business and Trade Secretary said:
“Our world renowned defence industry operates under one of the
most robust export licence regimes in the world, and we have a
duty to uphold both our domestic and international legal
obligations.
"That is why after assessing the latest available advice, I have
taken the difficult decision to suspend certain arms licences for
exports from the UK to Israel. By suspending these licences, I am
fulfilling our commitment to avoiding the risk that UK exports
could be used in IHL violations in the Gaza conflict. There will
remain however an important commitment to maintaining the F-35
programme which is integral to international security.”
The suspension will apply to around 30 items used in the current
conflict in Gaza which go to the IDF, from a total of 350
licences to Israel. The list of suspended items includes
important components which go into military aircraft, including
fighter aircraft, helicopters and drones as well as items which
facilitate ground targeting, that would be used in Gaza.
There are a number of export licences which we have assessed are
not for military use in the current conflict in Gaza and
therefore do not require suspension.
These include items that are not being used by the IDF in the
current conflict (such as trainer aircraft or other naval
equipment), and other, non-military items. Export licences
cover a range of products including things such as food-testing
chemicals, telecoms and data equipment.
UK components for the multi-national F-35 joint strike fighter
programme will be excluded from this decision, except where going
directly to Israel.
Any suspension of those pooled parts is not possible without
having a significant effect on the global F35 fleet with serious
implications for international peace and security.
Today the Foreign Secretary has also announced sanctions against
three individuals within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard
Corps-Quds Force and an IRGC unit for threatening the stability
of the Middle East.
These targets seek to destabilise the region by sponsoring and
providing weapons to Iranian proxy groups and partners across the
region such as Lebanese-Hizbollah.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Notes regarding Iran sanctions:
- The following individuals are sanctioned for their role
within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force,
including for smuggling weapons to regional groups and supporting
IRGC leadership. Those subject to a travel ban and asset freeze
are:
- Benham Shahriyari, a senior IRGC-Quds Force commander of
IRGC-Quds Force Unit 190.
- Abdolfatah Ahvazian, an IRGC General and aide to the
Commander of the IRGC-Quds Force, General Esmail Qaani (who was
designated by the UK in December 2023)
- Hamid Fazeli, former head of the Iranian Space Agency and
commander of IRGC-Quds Force Unit 340.
- The following organisation is also subject to an asset
freeze:
-
- Unit 700 – part of the IRGC, they transfer weapons to
Iran-backed militias across Syria and Lebanon, encouraging
regional conflict.
- To date, the UK has imposed more than 400 sanctions
designations on Iranian individuals and entities, including
those that seek to use malign influence regionally and
internationally.
- Today's designations sit under the UK's Iran new
sanctions regime, which came into effect in December 2023.
