UK says it's suspending some arms exports to Israel over the risk of breaking international law

Source: AP

Updated 10:09 PM EDT, September 2, 2024


LONDON (AP) — U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government said Monday that it’s suspending exports of some weapons to Israel because they could be used to break international law — a move with limited military impact intended to increase pressure by Israel’s frustrated allies for an end to the war in Gaza.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the U.K. government had concluded there is a “clear risk” some items could be used to “commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.”

He told lawmakers the decision related to about 30 of 350 existing export licenses for equipment “that we assess is for use in the current conflict in Gaza,” including parts for military planes, helicopters and drones, along with items used for ground targeting. The decision wasn’t “a determination of innocence or guilt” about whether Israel had broken international law, and wasn’t an arms embargo, he said.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on X: “Deeply disheartened to learn of the sanctions placed by the U.K. Government on export licenses to Israel’s defense establishment.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/uk-israel-arms-sales-c13210a21f1df7ef060f06a7a34addd1