British Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced that some of the licenses of companies exporting arms to Israel will be revoked, the BBC reported. According to him, there is a clear risk that the items in question, exported to Israel, will be used in serious violation of international humanitarian law, quoted by News.bg.
Lamy clarified that this is not a question of imposing an arms embargo, since only about 30 out of a total of 350 licenses will be revoked.
These include components and equipment for military aircraft, helicopters, drones.
It is significant that the decision is not based solely on the way Israel is conducting its military campaign in Gaza - the many civilians killed and the widespread destruction.
According to the British Foreign Secretary, there is not enough reliable evidence that Israel has violated international humanitarian law. Instead, the government in London emphasizes the lack of food and medicine in Gaza, as well as allegations that Israel is indeed mistreating Palestinian prisoners.
Lami adds that the United Kingdom still supports Israel's right to self-defense in accordance with international law. Britain will also continue to work with its international partners to counter Iranian aggression in the Middle East.
The UK's decision comes amid ongoing protests in Israel - including one planned outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence.
The angry protesters want to force the government in Tel Aviv to negotiate a deal with “Hamas“ to release the hostages.
Earlier, the funeral of Hersh Goldberg-Polin took place in Jerusalem, and the streets of the city were filled with mourners. He was one of six whose bodies were found by the Israeli army on Saturday. The find sparked the current discontent and demonstrations. A total of 97 Israeli hostages remain missing in Gaza.
The news from London was immediately commented on by Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz. He admitted that revoking licenses and halting arms exports to Israel sends a very problematic message to Iran and “Hamas“.
The BBC writes that the Israeli authorities knew that such licenses were about to be revoked. They were also aware that this was a small part of the arms imports to Israel. In addition, military cooperation and the exchange of intelligence information between London and Tel Aviv will continue, the British media also specified.