Defence Secretary John Healey has told MPs that the UK has refused all export licences for military goods that might be used by Israel in current operations in Gaza, following the Business and Trade Secretary’s suspension of such licences last year.
In a letter to Defence Committee chair Tan Singh Dhesi, Healey said: “We have suspended export licences for military goods that might be used by the Israel Defence Force (IDF) in current military operations in Gaza. New export licence applications have, since September, been assessed on the same basis – we have refused all licences for military goods that might be used by Israel in the current conflict.”
The Defence Secretary stressed that some export licences remain in place but cover equipment assessed as not being used in Gaza. “There are a relatively small number of licences for the IDF relating to equipment that we assess would not be used in the current conflict, including, for example, parts for air defence systems,” he wrote. Other approved exports include “military grade body armour used by non-governmental organisations and journalists” and “parts of the supply chain that are ultimately re-exported out of Israel to support the defence of our NATO allies.”
Healey also addressed concerns about indirect transfers via third countries. “You also asked for confirmation that the UK is not providing arms to third party countries, for onward transition to Israel. Please be assured that we consider the ultimate end-user when making decisions on licences, whether going direct or via third countries,” he said. He noted that the Government has acted against such licences when necessary and warned that it is a “criminal offence for an applicant to provide any false information in support of a licence application”. If discovered, such a licence would be rendered invalid and any exports under it “may become unlawful.”
The Defence Secretary underlined that the UK’s export control regime is “one of the most robust” in the world, with data on all licensing decisions publicly available. He reiterated the Government’s position that “International Humanitarian Law must be upheld, and civilians protected”, saying these concerns are raised with Israel “at the highest levels.”
