Israel: Arms Trade
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the decision to suspend arms export licences to Israel on relations between the UK and the US.
Answered by Mr Hamish Falconer
We have been clear that this is our own independent process, specific to the UK and according to our own law. The Strategic Export Licensing Criteria state that the Government will not issue or maintain export licences if there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law. We have deemed that there is such a risk and have taken the necessary decision. The US-UK relationship remains strong and we are united by decades of unrivalled security and defence cooperation. Our priority remains achieving a ceasefire in Gaza in which we see hostages released, civilians protected and aid floods in.
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