British Defense Minister John Healey (Archive - Associated Press)
British Defense Minister John Healey (Archive - Associated Press)
London softens its position: We will not threaten Israel's ability to defend itself
London
Dubai - Al Arabiya.net
Published on: September 3, 2024: 10:36 AM GST
Last update: September 3, 2024: 12:27 PM GST
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After Britain announced yesterday, Monday, that it would suspend 30 out of 350 licenses to export weapons to Israel, the Defense Minister appeared to explain.
British Minister John Healey said that his country's suspension of those licenses would not threaten Israel's ability to defend itself.
"It will not have a tangible impact on Israel's security," he told Times Radio on Tuesday.
He also stressed that his country is committed to defending Israel.
Suspension of 30 licenses
This came after the British Foreign Office announced the suspension of 30 out of 350 arms export licenses to Israel, justifying its decision by saying there was a clear risk that they could be used in serious violations of international humanitarian law.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy told parliament yesterday that "for some arms exports to Israel, there is a clear risk that they will be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law."
He also stressed that "this is not a blanket ban, it is not an embargo," adding that it does not include components for F-35 fighter jets.
A Palestinian cries amidst the destruction in Gaza - Reuters
A Palestinian cries amidst the destruction in Gaza - Reuters
While confirming his support for Israel's right to defend itself, Lammy added that the suspension "is not an assertion of innocence or condemnation" and that the British government's position is not fixed. "We have not and cannot rule on whether Israel violated international humanitarian law," he continued, noting that the United Kingdom "is not an international court.
Israeli disappointment
In contrast, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant criticized this decision, saying via the X platform, "I was deeply disappointed after learning of the sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom government on export licenses to the Israeli defense establishment." He added that London's decision "comes at a time when Israel is fighting a war on seven different fronts."
This British decision came after the end of the review of arms licenses exported to Israel, which the Foreign Secretary requested shortly after taking office in early July.
While Sacha Deshmukh, Director of Amnesty International's office in Britain, considered that "while this decision appears to show that the United Kingdom has finally accepted the clear and disturbing evidence of war crimes in Gaza, it is unfortunately very limited and full of loopholes."
From Gaza (Associated Press)
From Gaza (Associated Press)
He pointed in particular to the exemption related to F-35 aircraft, which are "used extensively "Wide in Gaza," according to what was reported by France Presse.
It is worth noting that since coming to power in early July, the Labour government led by Keir Starmer (centre-left) has repeatedly called for an end to the war in Gaza that broke out on October 7.
While several associations have filed lawsuits to stop British arms shipments to Israel, saying that they did not respect licensing rules.
These rules stipulate that weapons may not be sold to a third country if there is a clear risk that they may be used in violation of international humanitarian law