What Are the Implications of the UK’s Partial Ban on Arms Exports to 'Israel'?

The UK’s decision to suspend some arms exports to Israel was not surprising, but it was also a shock to Israeli officials, as the move came from a historic ally and at a sensitive time.

Last week, the UK announced the suspension of 30 of its 350 arms export licenses to Israel due to the risk that such equipment could be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law.

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

A senior government source said the government had been close to making the announcement earlier, but faced special interventions from Israel and the United States.

US officials said they would not oppose the British decision, but added that it would have no impact on the special review being conducted by the United States to determine whether Israel had violated humanitarian law.

Robert O’Brien, Donald Trump’s last national security adviser has warned that “Labour risks a serious rift in the UK’s special relationship with the US if it goes ahead with a ban on arms sales to Israel.”

Partial Suspension

On September 2, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that the UK would immediately suspend 30 of its 350 arms export licenses to Israel, due to the risk that such equipment could be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law.

He told Parliament that the partial suspension includes items that could be used in the current conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, but does not include components for F-35 fighter jets.

The British Secretary stressed that the new measure taken by the government will not have a tangible impact on Israel’s security, stressing that his country continues to support Israel’s right to defend itself in accordance with international law, and that it will continue to work with Israel on the Iranian threat.

This decision comes after the completion of a review of arms export licenses to Israel, which the British Foreign Secretary requested shortly after taking office in early July.

But the decision came at a very sensitive time in “Israel”, as it coincided with the funerals of the six hostages whose bodies were recovered by the army from the Gaza Strip, as well as a general strike and protests demanding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conclude a hostage deal.

Observers believe that the decision comes in response to internal and international pressures facing Britain regarding its military relations with “Israel”, which is waging a war on Gaza that has so far killed more than 40,000 people.

In turn, former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson accused his country’s government of abandoning Israel.

Phil Rosenberg, Chairman of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, described the decision as a very terrible message that came at the wrong time.

“Israel” met the UK decision with a storm of angry statements, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the decision as shameful.

In a series of strongly worded posts, Netanyahu said: “Instead of standing with Israel, Britain’s decision will only encourage Hamas.”

Israel’s Army Minister Yoav Gallant said he was deeply disheartened and also criticised the timing of the announcement following the murder of the hostages in Gaza.

“A step like the one taken now by Britain sends a problematic message to the Hamas terrorist organization and its handlers in Iran,” Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz.

Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen stated on X that “the UK must decide whether it supports Israel or Hamas.”

Israel's minister for diaspora affairs, Amichai Chikli, said the decision had come at a very sensitive moment when Israelis were burying six people murdered in Hamas tunnels.

Inadequate Move

The UK government defended the announcement, noting that it had a duty to enforce the law, adding that Israel’s security would not be weakened by the suspension.

Defense Secretary John Healey said the timing was driven by the fact that this was a legal process and the need to report to Parliament.

Healey also rejected claims by Boris Johnson that the UK was abandoning Israel, saying the government had a duty to uphold the rule of law and that this was not a decision aimed at appeasing anyone.

Amnesty International accused the UK government of gesture politics, given less than 10% of arms export licences were suspended.

The organization’s UK director, Sacha Deshmukh, described the decision as very limited and full of loopholes, pointing in particular to the exemption relating to F-35 fighter jets, which are widely used in Gaza.

Zarah Sultana, who is currently sitting as an independent MP after being suspended from the Labour Party, has called for an end to all arms sales to Israel.

Former national arms advisor Lord Peter Ricketts said that the government’s decision was long overdue.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign said the move was welcome but inadequate, and said it would continue to push for the government to apply the principles of international law to all export licenses.

On the other hand, observers believe that the UK decision will have no impact, whether on Israeli security or on the course of the war that Israel is waging on the Gaza Strip.

Dr. Anas Altikriti, CEO of The Cordoba Foundation in London, said in a statement to Al-Estiklal that the UK decision is a symbolic step, similar to the one announced by the previous UK government in the first months of the Gaza war, that it was considering recognizing a Palestinian state.

“This is a very limited move, and does not rise to the level of influencing the Israeli armament system or the course of the Gaza war,” he added.

Regarding the extent of its impact on relations between the UK and “Israel”, Dr. Altikriti believed that relations between the two countries are historical and well-established, and will not be affected by such a step, pointing out that the Israeli outrage and exaggerated accusations are an attempt to terrorize the British side.

“The Israelis fully understand that this measure is symbolic, perhaps to please local or international public opinion or members of the Muslim community in Britain,” he said.

Serious Violations

The UK’s decision to ban the export of some weapons to Israel shows how even Western allies are looking for ways to press Israel to end the war in Gaza.

Despite its modesty, the decision was an embarrassment to US President Joe Biden, as it would escalate pressure on him from progressives and Arab Americans to declare that Israel violates international humanitarian law on a daily basis in Gaza.

Later, US Department of State spokesman Matthew Miller said Washington respected the UK’s decision, but that it is not going to make an assessment under the UK standard. We will make our determination based on US law.

The UK is not a major arms supplier to Israel, with the US leading the way in arms sales to Israel (80%), while British exports account for less than 1% of total sales, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

Unlike the US, the British government does not directly supply arms to Israel, but rather licenses companies to sell them while allowing legal experts to weigh in on whether the weapons comply with international law.

The UK is the latest country to change its stance on arms sales to “Israel”, which has relied on imported weapons for its 11-month offensive in Gaza that has killed more than 40,000 people.

Last May, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution banning arms exports to Israel in the wake of the Gaza war.

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz analyzed data that revealed a significant increase in arms sales from Serbia to Israel despite international calls to suspend arms exports to the country.

In February, a Dutch court ordered the government to halt the supply of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel, citing the clear risk of serious violations of international humanitarian law.

However, the decision did not include components sent to countries such as the United States that could then be delivered to “Israel”.