UK arms sales to Israel delayed as ministers review weapons linked to war crimes in Gaza

A potential suspension of arms sales to Israel by Britain will not occur until later in the summer, according to the Times.

Ministers are assessing which weapon deliveries might be halted due to their possible connection to Israeli war crimes in its ongoing military onslaught against Gaza.

The investigation and decision-making process is expected to span several weeks amid concerns that an imminent decision could prompt other countries to reconsider their arms supplies.

It comes after a member of parliament from the Green Party last week asked if all UK arms exports to Israel would be halted. Foreign Minister David Lammy responded: “Israel is a country surrounded by people who would love to see its annihilation. It is being attacked by the Houthis, missiles are being fired from Hezbollah, notwithstanding the desire for Hamas to wipe Israel off the map.”

“For those reasons, it would not be right to have a blanket ban between our country and Israel.”

UK Attorney General Richard Hermer KC visited Israel last week, after the government lifted previous objections to an International Criminal Court (ICC) request for an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Read: Germany to continue its arms supply to Israel, Scholz says

Previously, he has criticised Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory in the West Bank, describing it as “deeply damaging” and “wholly contrary to the values of tikkun olam [repairing the world] that I grew up with and continue to guide me.”

Hermer was among prominent Jewish lawyers in the UK who, after the 7 October, called for Israeli restraint. Philippe Sands KC, another signatory who has represented Palestinians at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), recently argued for a halt in UK arms sales to Israel following an ICJ opinion on ending the occupation of the West Bank. Currently, the UK government is not considering the West Bank in its review of arms export licences.

In the past year, the UK exported £18.2 million ($23.4 million) worth of arms to Israel, including components for the Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jet, which Britain co-produces with the US.

The Times reports that revoking export licences and halting the sale of F-35 fighter jets could complicate the UK’s acquisition of additional F-35s and strain relations with the US. The F-35 is believed to have been used in the Gaza conflict, which has resulted in over 39,000 deaths, according to local officials.

Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Spain and Belgium have all announced they will stop shipping weapons to Israel.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the ICJ.