On the 2 September, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced that “for certain UK arms exports to Israel, there exists a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law”. Based on that assessment, the Government suspended about 30 Israel arms export licences.
Meeting details
At 2:30pm: Oral evidence
Work
UK arms exports to Israel (Non-inquiry session)
Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security at Department for Business and Trade
Director General, Economic Security and Trade Relations at Department for Business and Trade
Minister for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories at Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Director for Defence and International Security at Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Minister of State at Ministry of Defence
Head of Global Issues, Security Policy and Operations Directorate at Ministry of Defence
On the 10 December the Committee will question trade, foreign office and defence ministers and officials on the UK government’s policy on arms exports to Israel, seeking to understand:
- How the Government applies the UK Strategic Exports Licensing Criteria, including its approach in situations where information is incomplete or very difficult to obtain
- The framework that the Government uses to assess whether there is a “clear risk” that items exported from the UK might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law
- Why the export of F35 fighter jet components by any route except direct to Israel was exempted from the suspension of export licences
- How the Government is adhering to its obligations under the UN Arms Trade Treaty
- How the Government has taken account of other nations’ actions on arms exports to Israel