LONDON: The UK government is facing mounting pressure to suspend arms export licenses to Israel following an Israeli airstrike that killed three Britons and four others working for a food charity in Gaza.
Under Britain’s strategic licensing criteria, weapons should not be exported when there is a “clear risk” they could be used in violations of international humanitarian law.
According to arms control groups, the UK has approved over £487 million ($614 million) of weapon sales to Israel since 2015 through single-issue licenses, with additional exports under open licenses.
The demand to halt arms exports gained momentum on Wednesday, with opposition parties and individual lawmakers renewing calls for suspension. Former UK national security adviser Peter Ricketts and the Scottish National Party, among others, urged the government to take action.
Ricketts emphasized the need to send a signal to Israel, citing “abundant evidence” that Israel has not adequately ensured the safety of civilians.
However, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak remained steadfast, stating that the UK maintains a careful export licensing regime and follows established rules and procedures.
Foreign Secretary David Cameron has faced calls to release internal legal advice regarding arms exports, but the Foreign Office has yet to do so. If a clear risk of serious violations of international humanitarian law is identified, Cameron would recommend suspending the licenses.
The Labour opposition has also urged the government to publish internal legal advice. With an election expected later this year, Labour is widely predicted to regain power for the first time since 2010.
