Quakers urge full ban on UK arms exports to Israel
The government's suspension of some arms exports is a welcome recognition of the clear risk that Israel is using UK arms to violate international humanitarian law, but does not go nearly far enough, Quakers in Britain said.
Only a full ban on arms exports to the State of Israel can ensure that British weapons are not used to violate international law, they said in a joint letter with 17 other charities.
The Israeli military has killed more than 40,000 people in Gaza since Hamas militants attacked Israel nearly a year ago.
The International Court of Justice ruled in January that there is a plausible risk that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza.
This places the UK government at risk of failing to prevent and being complicit in genocide, in violation of its obligations under international law, including the Geneva Conventions.
F-35 fighter jet parts exempt
On Monday Foreign Secretary David Lammy suspended 30 out of 350 arms exports licences to Israel, including parts for drones, helicopters and fighter jets.
This leaves a significant loophole for parts used in F-35 fighter jets, used by the Israeli military to target Gaza.
It is estimated that the UK produces 15 per cent of every F-35 fighter jet but these components are exempt from the suspensions because it is part of an international programme.
Since 2015, the UK has licensed over £442 million worth of arms to Israeli forces, according to the Campaign Against Arms Trade.
The UK Government has granted 20 companies arms export licences to Israel since the Hamas attack on 7 October, with more companies awaiting their applications to progress since 31 May.
Paul Parker, recording clerk for Quakers in Britain, said: "It is welcome news that the UK is suspending some arms exports to Israel. But this does not go far enough.
“Only a full ban can ensure these weapons are not used to violate international law."
Quakers in Britain has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, access for humanitarian aid, and a full ban on UK arms exports to Israel.
This includes writing to the new Foreign Secretary David Lammy MP in July, calling for an immediate suspension of arms licences to Israel.
And in a public statement with 19 other leading charities outlining key steps for the government's first 100 days, Quakers called for a complete halt to arms transfers to the Government of Israel.
Read more on Quaker responses to the current situation in Israel and Palestine here