What happened The UK is suspending the sale of a raft of arms components to Israel, saying there is a "clear risk" they could be used in violation of international humanitarian law.
Who said what British Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced that 30 licences, including parts for fighter planes, helicopters and drones, would immediately be put on hold, but insisted the UK continued to support Israel's right to defend itself, saying "this is not a blanket ban, this is not an arms embargo”.
Britain's 350 export licences with Israel represent a "tiny amount" of the nation's total imports, said Politico. But the suspension "will likely anger Benjamin Netanyahu's administration", coming just as Israel's prime minister faces "increased pressure from domestic protests and strikes".
Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz said the decision sent a "very problematic message" to Hamas and Iran, and added that Israel continued to operate according to international law.
What next? The announcement "may come as no surprise to the government of Israel" given it had been long-flagged, "but it will still hurt", said the BBC. Western governments have been "coming under growing pressure" to stop arms sales to Israel over how it is waging war in the Gaza Strip.
This suspension will "cause strains with the Biden administration in the US" and Trump-aligned Republicans, both of whom argue against suspending arms exports under international law, said The Guardian. Biden is "under pressure" from pro-Palestinian Democrats to leverage arms sales to push Netanyahu to make concessions in ceasefire talks. |