^{Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Photo}

The UK has suspended 30 arms export licenses to Israel after a review by the new Labour government, Middle East Eye reports on September 2nd. The review found that British-made weapons might have been used in violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza.

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Arms campaigners and rights advocates, who have pushed for the suspension of arms sales to Israel, welcomed the decision. However, they criticized the continued export of F-35 fighter jet components, with one advocate calling them “a workhorse of Israel’s brutal bombing campaign”.

The suspension, announced by Foreign Secretary David Lammy in parliament on Monday, September 2nd, covers components for military aircraft. This includes fighter jets, helicopters, and drones.

Under its arms export criteria, the government is obligated to suspend licenses if there is a clear risk that British weapons could be used in serious violations of international humanitarian law.

Facing a conflict such as this, it is this government’s legal duty to review export licences,

-stated David Lammy, Britain’s Foreign Secretary.

It is with regret that I inform the House today the assessment I have received leaves me unable to conclude anything other than that, for certain UK arms exports to Israel, there does exist a clear risk,

-he also mentioned in his speech.

Lammy emphasized that the government’s review, a summary of which will be published, does not imply that Israel has violated humanitarian law. He added that it is impossible to verify all claims.

Middle East Eye and agencies