The UK has suspended an arms export licence to Israel while ministers conduct a policy review, according to the Jewish Chronicle. Although Number 10 insists that no changes have yet been made to arms exports to Israel, they plan to decide “later this summer” whether to suspend all licences. Just a few weeks away…
Should the UK government suspend additional export licences, it would place Jerusalem in the same category as North Korea and Iran. If Labour succumbs to pressure from pro-Palestinian groups, it is unlikely to significantly impact Israel. However, any retaliation from Israel could affect the British Army, which relies on multiple Israeli-based international military technology suppliers, such as Elbit. Starmer prevaricating as per…
UPDATE: A Government spokesperson said:
“There has been no change to our approach to export licences to Israel. We continue to review export licence applications on a case-by-case basis against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria. It is vital that we uphold both our domestic and international legal obligations when it comes to arms exports. We are reviewing the advice regarding exports to Israel and no decision has been made.”
Still waiting on the decision then…
Speaking to Sky News off the back of Rachel Reeves’ Air Passenger Duty hike, Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary said:
“Labour is dependent on those Red Wall seats, and yet every move she makes poisons economic growth and damages the UK’s recovery… it’s the Chancellor who stumbles from policy misstep to policy misstep… I think her policy decisions are incredibly stupid.”