The British government is currently reviewing all export licenses to Israel, especially those related to arms sales, in light of the continuing conflict in the Gaza Strip, a spokesperson at the British prime ministry said on Monday.
“We are currently reviewing all export licences to Israel to confirm that we think they are appropriate,” a Downing Street spokeswoman told reporters.
Agence France Presse reported that since 2010, the British government has approved licenses for arms sales to Israel worth £42 million (53 million euros), citing official data obtained by the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT).
The parliamentary committee concerned with monitoring arms exports has requested for the government to ensure that arms sales to Israel are in line with exporting criteria, which stipulate that goods must not be used in internal repression or human rights violations.
The spokesperson of CAAT Andrew Smith welcomed the review but called for an immediate embargo on the selling of military equipment to Israel, insisting the government “should never have agreed the licenses in the first place,” according to AFP.
“It not only facilitates, but signals approval to the actions of the Israeli government,” he said.