News / Military

Britain has issued 108 arms export licenses to Israel since October 7

Tuesday, 11 June 2024 2:13 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 11 June 2024 4:51 PM ]

Palestinians walk past buildings destroyed in the Israeli bombardment of Khan Yunis, the southern Gaza Strip, June 11, 2024. (AFP)

Britain has issued more than 100 export licenses for the sale of weapons and military equipment to Israel since the regime launched its savage military offensive in the besieged Gaza Strip in October, government figures show.

New data released by the business department on Tuesday indicates that these licenses facilitate manufacturers to export various types of UK-made military and non-military equipment to Israel.

Military equipment covered under these licenses includes components essential for the operation of military aircraft, vehicles, and combat naval vessels.

A total of 345 licenses to sell arms to Israel were still active as of the end of May this year, including those issued before October.

According to the statistics, no UK arms export license application was rejected or revoked, despite growing international pressure on Western governments to halt arms sales to Israel.

Ministers in three separate decisions in December, April and May rejected calls to suspend arms exports to the regime.

The value of UK approved arms exports licenses to Israel was £42 million in 2022 and the publication of the figure for the whole of 2023 is due later this week.

British BAE systems supporting Israeli genocide in Gaza

The British weapons industry has been cashing in on the genocide in Gaza with a pivotal role being played by BAE Systems in supplying the Zionist killing machine.

Several international bodies and UK campaign groups have repeatedly raised concern about Israel’s use of military equipment in Gaza.

The regime’s ground and aerial offensive have so far killed over 37,000 Palestinians and left a trail of destruction across the Palestinian territory over the past eight months.

The decision to publish the figures came as Britain’s two human rights organizations, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, are seeking to join a claim for judicial review about arms sales to Israel. The case is due to be heard in early October.

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