UK Stands Firm on Arms Exports to Israel Despite Biden’s Threat to Halt Them in War on Gaza

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron has sparked controversy by declaring that the United Kingdom will not halt arms sales to Israel, despite President Joe Biden’s recent threat to stop sending some US weapons if Israel launches a large-scale assault on Rafah. Cameron emphasized that the UK government does not directly supply weapons to Israel, but rather licenses the export of arms sold by companies.

In response to Cameron’s remarks, Katie Fallon from the Campaign Against the Arms Trade (Caat) criticized the UK government for disregarding the survival of Palestinians in Gaza and the rule of law. She expressed alarm at the government’s decision to continue licensing UK-made arms and components to Israel, despite the risk of genocide and war crimes.

The debate over arms sales to Israel intensified after MPs questioned Prime Minister Rishi Sunak about the UK’s stance following the US decision to pause a shipment of bombs to Israel. Scottish National Party MP Stephen Flynn pressed Sunak to follow suit, but Sunak clarified that the UK government does not directly provide arms to Israel, only licenses their export and maintains a robust licensing regime.

The issue of UK arms exports to Israel has raised concerns among rights groups, particularly regarding the delivery of British-made weapons to the region. The government faced scrutiny in February when it declined to disclose whether it had revoked licenses for the export of equipment that could be used by the Israeli army in offensive operations in Gaza. The government’s decision to continue licensing arms sales to Israel has been met with criticism from anti-arms campaigners, who believe the true value of exports to Israel is much higher than reported.

Despite government assurances that UK defence exports to Israel are minimal, campaigners argue that British-made components play a significant role in Israel’s military operations. They point to the involvement of British companies in providing components for the F35 stealth combat aircraft used by Israel in bombing Gaza. The controversy surrounding UK arms sales to Israel highlights the ethical and legal implications of supporting military actions in conflict zones.

As the debate continues, the UK government’s decision to maintain arms sales to Israel raises questions about the country’s role in the conflict and its commitment to upholding human rights and international law. The controversy surrounding arms exports to Israel underscores the complexities of balancing economic interests with ethical considerations in the global arms trade.