Three UK ministers responsible for overseeing arms exports have been summoned by Parliament’s business select committee to explain apparent discrepancies in the country’s arms export policy to Israel.
Liam Byrne, chair of the committee, has called on Trade Minister Douglas Alexander and relevant ministers from the Foreign Office and the Ministry of Defence to urgently clarify whether arms companies may be exploiting loopholes in the partial export ban imposed last September.
Concerns have intensified following new figures published on Friday showing that the UK approved £127.6 million in arms export licences to Israel in the fourth quarter of 2024 alone. This figure surpasses the total value of licences approved between 2020 and 2023, according to data from Campaign Against the Arms Trade.
The partial ban, introduced by the Labour government in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, was intended to prevent weapons potentially used in the war from reaching Israel. However, MPs now fear that the ban may not be fully effective.
During a session in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Independent Labour MP Zarah Sultana confronted Foreign Secretary David Lammy with the figures. Lammy said he did not recognise the number and accused Sultana of sensationalism, reiterating that “arms are not getting to Israel that could be used in Gaza.”
Despite those assurances, recent data show that over £61 million in single-issue licences were granted for military goods with an Israeli end-user. These include categories for targeting systems, munitions, and parts for military aircraft.
In his letter to the ministers, Byrne highlighted previous ministerial statements asserting that the export ban covered “equipment that we assess is for use in the current conflict in Gaza,” including components for fighter jets, helicopters, drones, and ground targeting systems.
The committee is now seeking detailed explanations to determine whether the government’s policies are being properly enforced, and if not, how potentially lethal exports may still be finding their way to the conflict zone.