UK to suspend 30 arms export licences to Israel

Britain will immediately suspend 30 out of the 350 arms export licences it has with Israel, in light of concerns that such equipment might be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law, UK Foreign Minister David Lammy announced on Monday.

"It is with regret that I inform the House [of Commons, lower house of parliament] today the assessment I have received leaves me unable to conclude anything other than that for certain UK arms exports to Israel, there does exist a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law," Lammy told parliament.

The suspensions on arms export licences were not a blanket ban, nor an arms embargo, he added.