1 year of Gaza genocide: UK draws flak for ‘balancing act’ on Israel arms sales

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) — After a year of massive destruction in Gaza and recently mounting attacks along the Israel-Lebanon border, the British government’s arms export policy has come under scrutiny.

Despite the suspension of some arms export licenses, critics argue that loopholes in regulations are allowing key military supplies to reach Israel, potentially contributing to the ongoing conflict.

As calls for a re-assessment of Britain’s role in the region intensify, government officials face the challenge of balancing international obligations with diplomatic relationships, particularly with Israel.

Amnesty International UK has voiced strong concerns over the UK’s continued supply of military components to Israel, particularly for the advanced F-35 fighter jet.

Oliver Feeley-Sprague, military, security, and police program director at Amnesty International UK, expressed deep frustration at what he sees as a significant gap in the UK’s export controls.

“We remain really, really concerned that the government has banned items that it believes might be used in Gaza, but it’s left an incredibly large loophole in exempting components for the F-35 global project,” he told Anadolu.

The F-35, often touted as one of the most advanced combat aircraft in the world, has been used by the Israeli military to conduct airstrikes on Gaza and Lebanon.

Amnesty International, citing Israeli admissions, has criticized the exemption of components of the fighter jet from the UK’s arms embargo.

“To allow those planes to keep flying is a major problem,” Feeley-Sprague emphasized, pointing to the role of this in undermining the UK government’s decision to curb arms supplies.

Feeley-Sprague also pointed to the potential of British arms supplies being used in clashes between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, suggesting that these did not receive the same amount of scrutiny.

“I think that’s the next challenge for the UK government,” he said, adding that further suspensions of military exports may be necessary. However, he expressed skepticism that the F-35 would be included in future suspensions even as the conflict escalates.

While Amnesty and other rights groups call for tighter restrictions on arms exports, the UK government faces a complex diplomatic balancing act.

- Israeli security must not compromise viable Palestinian statehood

William Patey, a former British Ambassador to several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia and Iraq, stressed that the UK was committed to both close ties to Israel and a viable future for a Palestinian state.

“Britain will never abandon Israel, and it’s right to live within secure borders,” Patey affirmed. “What we’re arguing about is that shouldn’t be at the expense of a Palestinian state. The Palestinians have a right to live securely within their borders.”

Patey underscored the need for a two-state solution, which he believes is crucial to achieving lasting peace in the Middle East.

The Oct. 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas shocked many Israelis, Patey said, however, the ongoing military response in Gaza, which has led to the deaths of over 41,000 Palestinians, risks fueling greater hatred and resentment.

“Many people are now growing up with a hatred and bitterness towards Israel that will be unprecedented,” he warned.

The former ambassador stressed the delicate nature of the situation, saying, “It’s very tough. You’ve got to balance between reassuring the Israelis that they can live behind secure and safe borders, but at the same time, their denial of justice for the Palestinians is unacceptable.”

- Sanctions needed for Israeli violations

As tensions continue to flare, especially with the threat of broader conflict as fighting mounts in Lebanon, the UK is under increasing pressure to re-evaluate its stance.

Critics argue that failing to suspend certain arms supplies, particularly those related to the F-35, undermines the UK’s moral and legal obligations.

According to Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian envoy to the UK, the new labor government has taken some steps in the right direction “but not enough.”

“We need to build on it. The UK, under its own domestic legal requirements and international law, is required to impose a full arms embargo on Israel,” he told Anadolu.

Zomlot stressed the need for sanctions for all legal violations that Israel has perpetrated, particularly the construction and expansion of illegal settlements, rising settler violence, and colonial practices in the occupied territories.

“It’s (UK) expected to take also steps towards accountability with us, so all world criminals are held to account.

“It is expected to immediately recognize the state of Palestine. All that needs the real push with us for an immediate and permanent cease-fire, because without that, we will not get to where we want to go,” he underlined.

- Data on UK arms sales to UK

Since 2008, the UK has granted export licenses worth £576 million (over $755 million) to Israel, with a significant portion approved in 2017, according to government data.

Many of these licenses were for components related to military radars, electronic warfare, and aircraft systems.

In 2022, the UK granted export licenses worth £42 million for military products, less than 1% of Israel’s defense imports. This dropped to £18 million in 2023.

Between Oct. 7, 2023 and May 31, 2024, 108 licenses were issued for military and non-military-controlled goods to Israel.

The UK does not export military equipment to the Palestinian Authority.

Upon taking office in July 2024, Foreign Secretary David Lammy initiated a review of Israel’s compliance with international humanitarian law in the Gaza conflict.

On Sept. 2, 2024, Lammy announced the suspension of 30 export licenses to Israel, covering components for fighter aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, naval systems, and targeting equipment.

The suspension has not, however, affected the global F-35 program except for components sent directly to Israel.

For now, as the region edges closer to further instability, all eyes are on Westminster to see whether additional arms suspensions will follow and whether the UK can maintain its diplomatic balancing act while also advocating for peace.