Britain delays decision on banning arms exports to Israel for weeks

Britain will make a decision on banning arms sales to Israel later this summer after officials were ordered to review evidence of potential war crimes from the fighting in Gaza.
David Lammy, the foreign secretary, is under pressure from backbench Labour MPs to announce a total ban on arms exports. There had been speculation that a decision could come as soon as this week.
The Times understands that the process will take longer because ministers are seeking to suspend export licences for specific weapons that they can link to suspected war crimes. Investigations are expected to take weeks.
The controversy over arms sales is one of a series of potential flashpoints in the relationship between Britain and Israel, which has come under strain since Labour came to power.
Richard Hermer KC, the attorney-general, visited Israel last week to explain the government’s decision to drop British objections to the International Criminal Court’s warrant for the arrest of Binyamin Netanyahu.
Hermer, a human rights barrister, was a surprise appointment to Sir Keir Starmer’s cabinet. He has previously stated his opposition to the “unlawful” occupation of the West Bank, describing it as “deeply damaging” to the interests of Israel and “wholly contrary to the values of tikkun olam [repairing the world] that I grew up with and continue to guide me”. He told the Jewish Chronicle last year that he had “dear” family fighting in the Israel Defence Forces.
Hermer, who started his legal career with Starmer at Doughty Street Chambers, was also a signatory to a letter from leading Jewish lawyers warning Israel to comply with international law following the October 7 attacks.
Another signatory, Philippe Sands KC, is representing Palestine at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and said that a recent ruling ordering the end to West Bank settlement required the British government to stop arming Israel.
The ICJ case warns member states not to “render aid or assistance” to Israel’s occupation of the West Bank. British officials are examining the use of British weapons in Gaza to see whether any export licences should be removed, and the wider occupation of the West Bank is not understood to be under consideration.
The war in Gaza has left more than 39,000 people dead, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
British arms exports to Israel are relatively modest with just £18.2 million worth of sales last year. There is reluctance, however, to jeopardise the UK’s privileged role in constructing F-35 fighter jets, which campaigners allege have been used in the bombardment of Gaza.
Britain lobbied to become a tier-one partner for the US fighter jet programme to protect British jobs in the arms industry. British arms manufacturers make 15 per cent of every plane, according to the Campaign Against Arms Trade.
However, revoking export licences and ending the sale of the fighter jets, which are operated by both the RAF and the Israeli air force, would create a diplomatic headache that could complicate the UK’s purchase of more F-35s and undermine relations with the US.