The British government has suspended 30 arms export licenses to Israel after a review determined that the military equipment covered by the permits might be used to commit international humanitarian law violations amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The suspended items, which the Israeli Defense Forces uses, include fighter aircraft, helicopters and drones and products that facilitate ground targeting.
Components for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program manufactured in the United Kingdom are excluded from the suspension to avoid serious implications to international peace and security, London said.
Despite the ban, U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Britain “continues to support Israel’s right to self-defense in accordance with international law.”
Israel’s IHL compliance review was conducted after the Labour Party won the election in July. Lammy, at the time, said the assessment of the licenses would be updated to ensure the arms sales comply with the said law.
Previously, former British Foreign Secretary David Cameron acknowledged a risk that the export of certain goods to Israel might be used to commit a serious IHL violation, but said “no like-minded countries have taken the decision to suspend existing arms export licences to Israel.”
In April, sources from the United States revealed plans to impose sanctions on Israeli military and police units, including the Netzah Yehuda Battalion, for committing human rights violations against Palestinians.