On Monday, the British government announced a suspension on the export of specific weapons to Israel, marking a notable shift in its position regarding the conflict in Gaza under the new Labour administration. Foreign Secretary David Lammy articulated this decision in parliament, confirming that a legal review indicated a “clear risk” that the exported weapons could potentially be utilized in ways that contravene humanitarian law. The suspension will impact 30 out of 350 export licenses, which include components essential for military aircraft.

Lammy emphasized that this does not amount to a comprehensive ban or an arms embargo, thus framing it as a targeted measure. This decision further separates Britain from its ally, the United States, which has maintained its arms shipments to Israel despite calls for suspension based on similar concerns about international law violations. Lammy stated that his assessment left him with no doubt that some U.K. arms exports to Israel posed a serious risk of contributing to breaches in humanitarian law.

Compared to the United States' arms trade, which is significantly more extensive, Britain's arms trade with Israel was valued at about 42 million pounds (approximately $55 million) in 2022. This trade includes not only parts for military aircraft but also other military equipment such as assault rifles and explosive devices. The suspension signals a marked intensification of British pressure on Israel to take measures to reduce civilian casualties amid the ongoing campaign against Hamas militants in Gaza, where reports from the Gazan health ministry indicate that over 40,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in the conflict.