THE UK government’s decision to suspend or halt some arms exports to Israel over concerns about potential breaches of international humanitarian law has added to the scrutiny of military aid to the country. The UK’s decision follows a government review agreed by the Labour government that came to power in July after winning the 2024 UK general election.
Although Britain accounts for only a small portion of arms sales to Israel, the decision by its key ally was criticised by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “With or without British weapons, Israel will win this war and secure our common future,” he said.
Meanwhile, human rights group Amnesty International called the move insufficient and called for a complete halt to arms sales.
In fact, countries are grappling with the issue of arms supplies to Israel due to the war in Gaza. Some have suspended and some continue exporting. Which countries have suspended or continued arms exports to Israel?
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The UK announced the immediate suspension of around 30 of its approximately 350 arms export licences to Israel for items used in the current conflict in Gaza, including the sale of components for some military aircraft such as fighter jets, helicopters and drones, as well as items for ground targeting.
Foreign Minister David Lammy said the assessment found a clear risk that the exported goods might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law.
Read also: UK Suspends Issuance of New Arms Export Licenses to Israel
Last year, Greg Hands, the minister for trade policy under the previous government, told Parliament that British exports accounted for 0.02% of Israel’s total military imports. In 2022, the country exported $55 million worth of military equipment to Israel.
Late last year, Italy announced it was stopping arms shipments to Israel, although some arms exports continue. The government says it respects existing orders on the condition that the weapons are not used against civilians.
Italy was the third-largest global arms exporter to Israel between 2019 and 2023. It was responsible for 0.9% of Israel’s imports during that period, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Also read: France Stops Funding for Palestinian Refugees, Following America and England
Spain’s Foreign Ministry said in February that the country had not authorized any arms sales to Israel since Oct. 7.
However, the newspaper El Diario reported that military exports authorized before the war were sent to Israel after the war broke out.
In the Netherlands, a court ordered the government to suspend exports of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel because of the risk of serious violations of international humanitarian law.
Also read: UNSC Condemns Israel Attack on Gaza Schools, China-Russia Blames US
It was in response to a lawsuit filed by Oxfam Novib and two other human rights groups.
The Dutch government’s appeal against the decision will be heard by the Supreme Court this week.
Belgium’s Walloon region suspended two munitions export permits to Israel in February, local media reported, following an International Court of Justice order the previous month that ordered Israel to do more to prevent civilian deaths in Gaza.
Canada’s Foreign Ministry said the country has not approved any arms export permits to Israel since Jan. 8. The pause will continue until the country can ensure Israel’s full compliance with export controls.
Authorizations granted before Jan. 8 will remain in effect. Canada’s House of Commons passed a non-binding motion saying Canada should halt further authorizations and transfers of arms exports to Israel.
The Washington Post reported that the United States (US) has provided US$6.5 billion worth of security assistance to Israel since October 7.
The country is the largest supplier to Israel’s military, accounting for 69% of total arms imports between 2019 and 2023, according to SIPRI.
In May, the United States halted arms shipments, including 500- and 2,000-pound bombs, when Israel threatened to attack the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where most Palestinian refugees have taken refuge. It reversed its decision on the 500-pound bombs in July.
State Department spokesman Matt Miller said Britain’s decision to suspend some exports would not impact U.S. policy. They said the U.S. assessment of possible violations of international humanitarian law was ongoing.
“Germany has approved the sale of arms and military equipment worth around $275 million to Israel since October,” government lawyers told the ICJ in April, as Berlin faced legal challenges over its arms supplies to Israel.
Germany said most of the sales were authorized in October last year. A court refused to issue an emergency order to stop the sales.
Germany is the second largest arms supplier to Israel after the United States, exporting $354 million last year. (Z-2)
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Countries That Suspend and Resume Arms Exports to Israel: An Overview
!Israeli bulldozers destroy West Bank, Palestine.
Israeli bulldozers destroy West Bank, Palestine. (Al-Jazeera Doc)
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has prompted significant scrutiny over military aid and arms exports to Israel. The UK’s recent decision to suspend certain arms exports marks a pivotal moment in international relations concerning Israel, spurring a larger conversation about the accountability of military support amidst humanitarian crises. In this article, we will explore the countries that have either suspended or continued military exports to Israel, as well as the implications of these actions.
The UK’s Suspension of Arms Exports
Following the Labour government’s successful bid in the 2024 UK general election, the UK government announced it would suspend around 30 of the 350 arms export licenses granted to Israel. These licenses included items used in recent conflicts, such as components for military aircraft and targeting equipment. As Foreign Minister David Lammy stated, the suspension arose from a clear assessment that these exports risk being used to facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law.
Despite the UK’s limited share of total arms exports to Israel—accounting for approximately 0.02% of Israel’s military imports—this decision has drawn significant attention, particularly from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who remarked, “With or without British weapons, Israel will win this war and secure our common future.”
Italy’s Position on Arms Exports
Italy has joined the ranks of countries reassessing their arms sales to Israel. While it announced a halt on specific arms shipments, it still respects existing orders as long as the weapons are not used against civilians. Notably, Italy was ranked as the third-largest arms exporter to Israel from 2019 to 2023, contributing 0.9% to Israel’s military imports.
This complex stance reflects broader concerns within Italy about the ongoing humanitarian impact of the Gaza conflict. Despite the suspension, some exports are still being carried out under previously approved licenses, raising questions about the effectiveness of such regulations.
Spain’s Response to the Crisis
Spain’s Foreign Ministry has reportedly not authorized any new arms sales to Israel since the onset of hostilities on October 7. However, reports suggest that military exports approved before that date have continued to flow to Israel, sparking debate about the nation’s commitment to a comprehensive arms embargo.
Legal Actions in the Netherlands
In a landmark decision, a Dutch court mandated the suspension of exports for F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel due to risks associated with international humanitarian law violations. This ruling came in response to a lawsuit put forth by Oxfam Novib and other human rights organizations, highlighting the increasing public pressure on governments to reconsider military support amidst humanitarian concerns.
Belgium, Canada, and the U.S.: A Broader Look
In Belgium, the Walloon region suspended two munitions export licenses in February, backed by an International Court of Justice ruling instructing Israel to prevent civilian casualties. Similarly, Canada’s Foreign Ministry paused all arms export permits to Israel starting January 8. This decision is to remain in force until Canada can ensure that Israel complies with stringent export controls.
On the other hand, the United States—the largest supplier of military aid to Israel, contributing roughly 69% of its total arms imports—has taken a more complex stance. After halting specific arms shipments in May and reversing some decisions by July, the U.S. continues to provide substantial military support. Reports indicate that the U.S. has delivered $6.5 billion in security assistance since October 7 alone.
Conclusion: The Global Military Landscape
As countries navigate the murky waters of military aid amidst a humanitarian crisis, the actions regarding arms exports to Israel highlight critical moral and legal debates about international law and humanitarian responsibility. The growing scrutiny from various governments suggests a significant shift in the global narrative surrounding arms exports, with human rights considerations increasingly taking precedence.
This evolving landscape illustrates not only the complexities of international defense relationships but also the power of public opinion and legal structures in shaping government policy. As the situation in Gaza continues to unfold, the responses from these nations will be crucial in determining the future of military engagement and humanitarian oversight in the region.
- UK Suspends Issuance of New Arms Export Licenses to Israel
- France Stops Funding for Palestinian Refugees, Following America and England
- UNSC Condemns Israel Attack on Gaza Schools, China-Russia Blames US
By understanding these dynamics, readers can better contextualize the ongoing international discourse surrounding military exports and humanitarian law.
