Recently disclosed figures indicate a significant decline in Britain’s approval of arms export licenses to Israel following the commencement of hostilities in Gaza. According to government officials who spoke to Reuters and data from the Department for Business and Trade’s Export Control unit, the value of permits granted for the sale of military equipment to Israel plummeted by more than 95%, marking a 13-year low.
Specifically, from October 7 to December 31 of the previous year, the value of British-approved licenses dropped to £859,381 (approximately $1.09 million), the lowest figure recorded for that period since 2010. This contrasts starkly with the same period in 2022, during which £20 million in arms sales to Israel were approved, encompassing items such as small arms ammunition and components for combat aircraft, as indicated by government data.
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In comparison, during the equivalent timeframe in 2017, the British government sanctioned £185 million in arms sales to Israel, which included components for tanks and surface-to-air missiles — the highest recorded figure for that period dating back to 2008.
Unlike the United States, Britain does not directly supply arms to Israel but instead issues licenses for companies to engage in weapon sales, a process that includes legal assessments of compliance with international law.
The decrease in the value of approved licenses post-Gaza conflict may stem from either a British policy decision to restrict certain sales or a diminished demand from Israel. Reuters noted challenges in determining the precise cause.
Both the Department for Business and Trade, responsible for approving export licenses, and the Foreign Office declined to comment on the matter. Meanwhile, the Israeli embassy in London did not respond to requests for input.
Criticism has arisen within Britain’s parliament and among human rights groups regarding the lack of transparency concerning arms sales to Israel amidst the Gaza conflict. In response to concerns about potential misuse of weapons, several countries — including Italy, Canada, and the Netherlands — have implemented restrictions on arms exports to Israel.
Germany, while significantly increasing arms exports to Israel to €326 million last year (a tenfold rise from 2022), saw approvals drop to around €10 million in the first quarter of the current year.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has maintained strong support for Israel’s right to defend itself forcefully against Hamas, resisting calls to cease arms transfers while emphasizing adherence to a stringent licensing regime. Historically, the British government has previously blocked arms sales to Israel in instances such as 2009, when some licenses were revoked, and 1982, following a formal restriction after the Lebanon invasion.
Further updates on arms sales to Israel are anticipated in the first half of this year as the British government prepares to disclose additional information on the matter.
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