Above photo: X.
London has vowed not to impose a ‘blanket ban’ on arms sales to Tel Aviv due to the Axis of Resistance’s attacks on Israel.
The UK is expected to put restrictions on weapons sales to Israel, sources revealed exclusively to Middle East Eye (MEE) on 25 July.
According to the outlet, London is also expected to drop its objection to the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to seek an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“In the coming days the government is likely to introduce some restrictions on arms sales but not suspend sales entirely,” informed Labour Party sources told MEE, adding that these restrictions would most likely affect the sale of offensive weapons.
On Friday afternoon, a spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that the country will withdraw the previous government’s objection, adding that the decision of whether or not to issue the arrest warrants is for the ICC to make.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said last week that he ordered a review of Tel Aviv’s compliance with international law on the first day he assumed his position.
However, Lammy also said it would “not be right to have a blanket ban between our countries,” given the operations of the Palestinian resistance, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Yemen’s Armed Forces and Ansarallah movement.
Hundreds of pro-Palestine protesters blocked the entrances to the UK Foreign Office earlier this week, demonstrating against the Labour government’s policy towards Israel. At least nine were arrested.
Demands included ending arms sales to Israel and releasing legal advice assessing whether weapons provided to Israel would be used in violation of international law. Lammy had previously called on the government to release such legal advice when he was still shadow foreign secretary, saying arms sales should be halted if a clear risk was identified.
“I hope to be able to make my views known with full accountability and transparency,” Lammy said last week in response to a question about whether he would publicize the legal advice.
Former prime minister Rishi Sunak had condemned the ICC decision to seek arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his defense minister, calling it “unhelpful.” Last month, the ICC accepted a request by Sunak’s government to file an appeal against the decision on behalf of Israel.
Over 100 UK export licenses for arms and military equipment sales to Israel have been approved since the start of its genocide of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Pro-Palestine protesters have consistently demanded an end to UK arms sales to Israel since the start of the war.
In June, the UK-based Palestine Action group stormed the premises of the APPH military equipment manufacturer, which produces technology for Israel’s Elbit Systems firm, destroying property in protest against the Gaza war.
Several similar incidents have since taken place in the UK.
A legal challenge to British weapons exports was revived at the UK High Court on 23 April, months after the case was dismissed in February.