UK defence exports and the Gaza conflict are the headlines of British news. Reuters said Britain’s approval of arms export licenses to Israel dropped sharply after October 7. The value of permits granted for the sale of military equipment fell by more than 95% to a 13-year low.
The majority of people in Britain want their government to stop arms exporting to Israel. British people believe that the provision of military assistance and material to Israel may render the UK complicit in genocide. Workers and activists have blocked the factories which have the license to send arms to Israel.
UK Defense Exports and Gaza Conflict
Britain’s approval of arms export licenses to Israel dropped sharply after the start of the war against Hamas in Gaza. According to Reuters, the value of permits granted for the sale of military equipment to its ally fell by more than 95% to a 13-year low.
Between October 7 and December 31 last year, the value of British-approved licences dropped to £859 381 ($1.09 million), the lowest figure since 2010. This compares with the government approving £20 million ($25.39 million) of arms sales to Israel for the same period in 2022. The arms included small arms, ammunition, and components for combat aircraft.
UK government under pressure: Ban Arms Sales to Israel
Parliamentary pressure is building on the UK government to ban arms sales to Israel. 107 MPs and 27 peers signed a letter coordinated by the Labour MP Zarah Sultana. The letter argues that “business as usual” for UK arms exports to Israel is “totally unacceptable”. It says UK-made arms are being used in Gaza. The letter says, “The scale of violence committed by the Israeli military is vastly more deadly, but the UK government has failed to act”.
Sultana said: “The UK government must finally uphold the rights of the Palestinian people and immediately end arms sales to Israel.” Katie Fallon: “There is a ‘clear risk’ Israel might use these arms exports in a serious violation of international humanitarian law”.
UK defence exports and Gaza conflict: Legal Experts
On Wednesday, more than 600 legal experts in the UK sent a 17-page letter to Sunak. There is a “plausible risk of genocide” in Gaza, the letter says. The provision of arms to Israel may render the UK complicit in genocide and severe breaches of [International Humanitarian Law].”
UK Parliament and human rights groups criticized the lack of transparency surrounding arms sales to Israel. Countries like Italy and Canada restricted arms exports to Israel due to concerns about potential misuse of the weapons. However, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has maintained support for Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas.
UK defence exports and Gaza conflict: Activists and Workers
Activists organized under the banner of Workers for a Free Palestine. They blocked the entrance to the department, which grants export licenses for the sale of British weapons to Israel, on Wednesday morning. They blocked civil servants from entering the department, and police tried to disperse the activists.
UK public protests’ influence on arms export policy is now one of the crucial issues in the UK. Hundreds of activists have blockaded the Department for Business and Trade to protest the government’s refusal to suspend the sale of UK arms to Israel. They believe the UK government is guilty of the genocide in Gaza due to selling weapons to Israel.
UK defence exports and Gaza conflict: Majority of people
Public protests against such exports underscore discontent with the UK arms industry. There is mounting opposition to the UK’s continued arming of Israel. Last week, hundreds of people protested outside defence factories in Brighton, Glasgow, Bournemouth, and Lancashire. People even believe that Israel will gradually use the sold weapon against England itself.
UK defence exports and the Gaza conflict have raised many voices throughout the UK. A YouGov poll conducted last week showed most respondents (56%) wanted the UK government to halt these exports. A somewhat more significant majority (59%) said they believe Israel’s actions in Gaza violate human rights.
Conservatives: Arms Export Policy
Politicians from the two main parties have expressed support for Israel during the war. This could cost them votes in the election, especially in Britain’s Muslim communities. UK’s Prime Minister Rushi Sunak has been one of Europe’s strongest advocates of Israel’s right to respond to Hamas in Gaza. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has repeatedly reiterated his support for Israel, saying it had a “right to defend its security. We’ve always adhered to a meticulous export licensing regime. There are a set of rules, regulations, and procedures that we’ll always follow.”
On the other hand, Conservative MP Paul Bristow said the idea that British-made arms could be used in action that kills innocent civilians in Gaza “turns the stomach,” adding the deaths of British aid workers “must be a line in the sand”. “How can the Government argue that Israel is complying with International Humanitarian Law? While it has been clear in its statements that Israel is deliberately blocking aid and causing starvation,” Helen Stawski said.
LaboUr Party: Suspension of Arms Export
Keir Starmer sparked much backlash when he refused to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Labour candidate says arms sales to Israel will stop after party takes power. However, as reported by Reuters, the UK government dropped arms export licenses to Israel sharply due to public pressure. The Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party (SNP) and a former UK national security adviser are now calling for suspending sales.
Labour says sales must stop if government lawyers believe Israel risks breaching international law. Labour has not called for a suspension. However, it is urging the government to publish internal legal advice on whether Israel breaches international law. They suspend defence exports to Israel if it says that UK arms are in use in a severe breach of international humanitarian law.
