"Clear risk": UK suspends weapons export licenses to Israel

The UK will immediately suspend 30 of the 350 weapons export licenses it holds with Israel. This is due to the "clear risk" that such equipment may be used in "serious violations of international humanitarian law".

"This is not a complete ban or an arms embargo," Foreign Secretary David Rammie said in Parliament. "We do not take this decision lightly."

Due to the killing of over 0.04 million Palestinians during the 11-month war in Gaza, the UK, one of Israel's long-standing allies, is facing increasing pressure to halt weapons exports.

British companies are relatively selling a small amount of weapons and components to Israel. Earlier this year, the government announcedMilitary exports to Israel in 2022is£42 million ($53 million)in value.