Amnesty slams report of UK resumption of arms sales to Israel

Following a report in the Jewish Chronicle that around 30 UK arms export licences to Israel could be “unblocked” and that trade talks with Israel may be resumed, Amnesty’s UK Crisis Response Manager Kristyan Benedict, said:

“Comments by Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, suggesting the UK government may unblock arms sales to Israel are deeply troubling.

“We should not be fooled by talk of ‘ceasefires’ or ‘peace’, particularly by references to a so-called ‘Phase Two’ when a genuine Phase One has never existed. Israel’s genocide in Gaza has not stopped. Killings continue. The illegal blockade remains, as does the system of apartheid.

“Let us be clear: the UK never fully banned arms sales in the first place. Exports of parts for F-35 fighter jets continued, jets that have been used in Israel’s ongoing genocide against Palestinians.

“In July 2024, the International Court of Justice directed states ‘not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by Israel’s illegal presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.’

“To link the potential lifting of this suspension to trade deals or Donald Trump’s plans, rather than to the UK’s obligations under international law and ICJ rulings, is highly problematic and painfully revealing of this Government’s real priorities. Such decisions must be grounded in human rights and legal responsibility, not political manoeuvring.

“The UK must not reward Israel as it deepens its illegal occupation and entrenches apartheid policies.”