What are arms sales to Israel worth – and could they be stopped?
9 months ago

What are arms sales to Israel worth – and could they be stopped?

The Independent  

If Britain were to suspend arms sales to Israel, it would be joining Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Spain and Belgium, who have already done so with broad overall public support. Peter Ricketts, a former senior diplomat who chaired the Joint Intelligence Committee during the Blair government, is of the view that Washington may now reconsider its military links with Israel, saying: “I think each time there is another of these horrors, they must be getting closer to the point where the Americans start putting some restrictions on their arms.” This is not something that is apparent at present. On the same day that Biden condemned the Israeli attack, news broke that his administration was considering selling Israel up to 50 new F-15 fighter jets, 30 AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles, and a number of joint direct attack munition kits, which turn “dumb bombs” into precision-guided weapons. The chances of America halting arms shipments, cutting off Israel’s main source of supply, looks highly unlikely, whichever course Britain decides to take on the matter.

British Gaza Israel Netanyahu Israeli Biden Britain Arms Hermes  worth  arms  hermes  sales  support  supplies  israel  used  stopped  biden  weapons  saying  netanyahu

History of this topic

Germany doubles arms exports to Ukraine, halves them to Israel in 2024
3 weeks, 1 day ago

Germany doubles arms exports to Ukraine, halves them to Israel in 2024

The Hindu  

The German government has doubled its arms exports to Ukraine this year and halved them to Israel compared to 2023, data from the economy ministry showed on Wednesday. Being the main recipient country, Ukraine will have received weapons and other military equipment worth 8.1 billion euros, up from 4.4 billion euros last year. Germany has so far approved arms exports …

UK to continue selling arms to Israel despite Lebanon ceasefire, Starmer says
1 month, 1 week ago

UK to continue selling arms to Israel despite Lebanon ceasefire, Starmer says

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. He told MPs: “We must seize this opportunity to build trust, de-escalate tensions and push …

Arms to Israel: Will countries halt sales in wake of ICC arrest warrants?
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Arms to Israel: Will countries halt sales in wake of ICC arrest warrants?

Al Jazeera  

The arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant could lead to countries rethinking selling arms to Israel, experts say. Western nations which sell arms to Israel may be forced to re-evaluate their trade agreements after arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for “war crimes” and “crimes …

Starmer: Wrong to consider total ban on UK arms sales to Israel
3 months ago

Starmer: Wrong to consider total ban on UK arms sales to Israel

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Prime Minister said a …

Independent readers divided over Keir Starmer’s decision to suspend some arm sales to Israel
3 months, 4 weeks ago

Independent readers divided over Keir Starmer’s decision to suspend some arm sales to Israel

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Last week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer suspended around 30 of …

Is the UK right to suspend arms sales to Israel? Join The Independent Debate
4 months ago

Is the UK right to suspend arms sales to Israel? Join The Independent Debate

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Last week, Prime …

‘Legal decision, not a policy decision’ to suspend Israel arms exports – Starmer
4 months ago

‘Legal decision, not a policy decision’ to suspend Israel arms exports – Starmer

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Sir Keir Starmer has claimed Britain’s allies “understand” its move …

UK suspends some licenses for arms exports to Israel
4 months ago

UK suspends some licenses for arms exports to Israel

China Daily  

Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy leaves after a meeting with his Israeli and French counterparts in Jerusalem on Aug 16. Lammy said the review, commissioned immediately after the Labour Party's landslide election victory in July, found a "clear risk" the arms might be used to commit "a serious violation of international humanitarian law". Lammy noted that the review conducted by …

What really lies behind the decision to restrict arms sales to Israel
4 months ago

What really lies behind the decision to restrict arms sales to Israel

The Independent  

To judge by the indignation from Israel and its friends here, David Lammy’s revocation of nearly 10 per cent of British export licenses for the few weapons it sells to the IDF and Israeli security services was a bombshell. Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu decried the UK’s decision, coming only days after Hamas executed six hostages, as “shameful”. Savaging the …

UK support for Israel ‘unshakeable’ says Healey amid backlash over arms decision
4 months ago

UK support for Israel ‘unshakeable’ says Healey amid backlash over arms decision

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Israel’s defence minister Yoav Gallant …

U.K. Suspends Some Arms Exports To Israel Over Risk Of Breaking International Law
4 months, 1 week ago

U.K. Suspends Some Arms Exports To Israel Over Risk Of Breaking International Law

Huff Post  

A man takes cover behind a column as an explosion propagates smoke and dust during an Israeli strike which reportedly targeted a school in the Zeitoun district on the outskirts of Gaza City, on Sept. 1, 2024. OMAR AL-QATTAA via Getty Images LONDON — U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government said Monday that it’s suspending exports of some weapons to …

UK to suspend 30 export licences for arms to Israel, Lammy announces
4 months, 1 week ago

UK to suspend 30 export licences for arms to Israel, Lammy announces

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Britain is suspending …

UK to suspend some arms export licences to Israel, says Foreign Secretary
4 months, 1 week ago

UK to suspend some arms export licences to Israel, says Foreign Secretary

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The UK Government is suspending around 30 arms export licences …

Britain says it is suspending some arms exports to Israel over risk of breaking international law
4 months, 1 week ago

Britain says it is suspending some arms exports to Israel over risk of breaking international law

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The British government said Monday …

Sir Keir Starmer's top legal adviser intervenes in tense row over the UK continuing to sell arms to Israel
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Sir Keir Starmer's top legal adviser intervenes in tense row over the UK continuing to sell arms to Israel

Daily Mail  

Keir Starmer's top legal adviser has reportedly intervened in the row over the UK continuing to sell arms to Israel. Attorney General Richard Hermer KC is said to have told Foreign Office officials he will not approve a decision to ban some weapons sales but allow others until they are certain which could be used to break international humanitarian law, …

US approves $20 billion in weapons sales to Israel amid threat of wider Middle East war
4 months, 3 weeks ago

US approves $20 billion in weapons sales to Israel amid threat of wider Middle East war

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The U.S. has approved $20 billion in arms sales to Israel, including scores of fighter jets and advanced air-to-air missiles, the State Department announced Tuesday. Congress was notified of the impending sale, which includes more than 50 F-15 fighter jets, Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles, or AMRAAMs, 120 mm tank ammunition and high explosive mortars and tactical vehicles …

The EU’s support for Israel makes it complicit in genocide
6 months ago

The EU’s support for Israel makes it complicit in genocide

Al Jazeera  

It has been nine months since the start of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians, injured more than 86,000, and displaced more than 1.9 million. According to figures from the European External Action Service’s COARM database, between 2018 and 2022, EU member states sold arms worth 1.76 billion euros to Israel. European public money …

Israel breaks arms sales record for 3rd consecutive year
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Israel breaks arms sales record for 3rd consecutive year

Firstpost  

The International Defense Cooperation Directorate, or SIBAT, of the Israeli Defense Ministry revealed numbers on Monday indicating that defense exports reached $13 billion in 2022, surpassing the previous record high of $12.5 billion in 2022. That amount varied from $7.5 billion to $8.5 billion in 2018 and 2020 Eleven percent of arms sales went toward the export of radar and …

The West must pause selling arms to Israel
7 months, 2 weeks ago

The West must pause selling arms to Israel

Hindustan Times  

As Israel ratchets up its military offensive in Gaza, western nations have come under scathing criticism for supplying arms to Israel. As death and destruction continue unabated in Gaza, the pressure is mounting on several countries, including the US, to stop the supply of arms to Israel because of the apprehension that these arms are being used in allegedly committing …

Uncertainty over Israel’s compliance with international law ‘a challenge for UK’
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Uncertainty over Israel’s compliance with international law ‘a challenge for UK’

The Telegraph  

Uncertainty over Israel’s compliance with international law poses a “challenge” for the UK, the Middle East minister has said, as Britain comes under increasing pressure to ban arms exports to the country. Lord Ahmad, who has ministerial responsibility for the region, said Israel was leaving “many of its partners”, including the UK, “pretty challenged on where we are currently on …

David Cameron hints Britain won't copy US by halting arms sales to Israel if Netanyahu launches major attack on Rafah - but Foreign Secretary stresses UK won't support assault without plan to protect
8 months ago

David Cameron hints Britain won't copy US by halting arms sales to Israel if Netanyahu launches major attack on Rafah - but Foreign Secretary stresses UK won't support assault without plan to protect

Daily Mail  

David Cameron today played down the prospect of Britain copying US President Joe Biden's threat to halt arms supplies to Israel. Following a speech at the National Cyber Security Centre this morning, Lord Cameron said Britain would not support a major offensive in Rafah without seeing Israel's plan to protect Gaza civilians. David Cameron today played down the prospect of …

A legal challenge over the UK’s role in arms sales to Israel will go ahead
8 months, 2 weeks ago

A legal challenge over the UK’s role in arms sales to Israel will go ahead

Associated Press  

LONDON — A legal challenge over the British government’s role in allowing weapons to be sent to Israel can be heard at the High Court later this year, a judge said Tuesday. Palestinian human rights organization Al-Haq and the U.K.-based Global Legal Action Network filed the challenge in December, calling for the U.K. to stop granting licenses for arms exports …

UK won't stop sending weapons to Israel: Cameron
9 months ago

UK won't stop sending weapons to Israel: Cameron

Hindustan Times  

The British government has concluded it can keep sending weapons to Israel, Foreign Secretary David Cameron said Tuesday, rejecting pressure to suspend exports over charges of humanitarian violations in Gaza. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron "On Israel and international humanitarian law, and as required by the UK's robust arms export control regime, I have now reviewed the most recent advice …

UK will not block arms sales to Israel, says Foreign Minister David Cameron
9 months ago

UK will not block arms sales to Israel, says Foreign Minister David Cameron

Al Jazeera  

British government is coming under growing pressure to halt weapons supplies to Israel as it continues its war on Gaza. The United Kingdom will not halt arms sales to Israel by British companies after reviewing the latest legal advice on the matter, Foreign Minister David Cameron has said. Six months into the Israeli assault on Gaza, triggered by the October …

Senior U.K. jurists join calls to stop arms sales to Israel
9 months ago

Senior U.K. jurists join calls to stop arms sales to Israel

The Hindu  

More than 600 British jurists, including three retired judges from the U.K. Supreme Court, are calling on the government to suspend arms sales to Israel, piling pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak after the deaths of three U.K. aid workers in an Israeli strike. In an open letter to Mr. Sunak published late Wednesday, the lawyers and judges said the …

Senior UK jurists have joined calls to stop arms sales to Israel. Other allies face similar pressure
9 months ago

Senior UK jurists have joined calls to stop arms sales to Israel. Other allies face similar pressure

Associated Press  

LONDON — More than 600 British jurists, including three retired judges from the U.K. Supreme Court, are calling on the government to suspend arms sales to Israel, piling pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak after the deaths of three U.K. aid workers in an Israeli strike. Signatories, including former Supreme Court President Brenda Hale, said Britain is legally obliged to …

UK’s Rishi Sunak faces growing pressure to stop arms sales to Israel
9 months ago

UK’s Rishi Sunak faces growing pressure to stop arms sales to Israel

Al Jazeera  

Political pressure on British PM to halt arms exports to Israel grows after seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen were killed in an air attack on Gaza. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is facing growing political pressure to stop selling weapons to Israel after seven aid workers, including three British nationals, were killed by an Israeli air attack on …

Why a majority of Britons want the U.K. to halt arms exports to Israel
9 months ago

Why a majority of Britons want the U.K. to halt arms exports to Israel

NPR  

Why a majority of Britons want the U.K. to halt arms exports to Israel Enlarge this image toggle caption Hugh Hastings/Getty Images Hugh Hastings/Getty Images LONDON and BRIGHTON, England — With more than 33,000 Palestinians killed so far in Israel's military operation in Gaza, according to Gaza's health ministry, the deaths of three British aid workers there this week may …

The killing of aid workers adds to pressure on the UK government to halt arms sales to Israel
9 months ago

The killing of aid workers adds to pressure on the UK government to halt arms sales to Israel

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain’s main opposition parties demanded Wednesday that the Conservative government publish legal advice it has received on whether Israel has broken international humanitarian law during the war in Gaza. David Lammy, foreign affairs spokesman for the main opposition Labour Party, said “there are very serious accusations that Israel has breached international law.” He urged the government to “publish …

Biden considers $18bn arms transfer to Israel, including F-15 jets: Report
9 months, 1 week ago

Biden considers $18bn arms transfer to Israel, including F-15 jets: Report

Al Jazeera  

Biden faces pressure from foreign partners, rights groups and some fellow Democrats in Congress to impose conditions on arms transfers to Israel. US President Joe Biden’s administration is weighing whether to go ahead with an $18bn arms transfer package to Israel that would include dozens of F-15 aircraft, according to the Reuters news agency. Biden faces pressure from foreign partners, …

Canada halting arms shipments to Israel: govt official
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Canada halting arms shipments to Israel: govt official

The Hindu  

Canada will halt all arms shipments to Israel, a government official told AFP on Tuesday, a decision that has drawn the ire of Israel as it faces growing international scrutiny over its war in the Gaza Strip. Canada's foreign minister Melanie Joly told the Toronto Star newspaper on Tuesday that Ottawa would stop future arms exports to Israel. Israel has …

Palestinian Canadians sue Foreign Minister Joly over arms exports to Israel
10 months ago

Palestinian Canadians sue Foreign Minister Joly over arms exports to Israel

Al Jazeera  

Montreal, Canada – Palestinian Canadians and human rights lawyers are suing Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly over exports of military equipment to Israel, which they argue violate Canada’s obligations under domestic and international law. “Canada’s contempt for international and Canadian law by approving a dramatic increase in military exports to Israel since the latter commenced its bombardment of Gaza compels …

Canada stops arms sales to Israel: Who else has blocked weapons exports?
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Canada stops arms sales to Israel: Who else has blocked weapons exports?

Al Jazeera  

Canada becomes the latest country to halt arms sales to Israel, as global calls for other countries to follow suit grow. “Canadian companies have exported over $84m in military goods to Israel since 2015,” said Michael Bueckert, vice president of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, an advocacy group, adding that the government has continued to approve …

ICJ ruling in Gaza genocide case renews calls to end Israel arms transfers
11 months, 2 weeks ago

ICJ ruling in Gaza genocide case renews calls to end Israel arms transfers

Al Jazeera  

Advocates urge countries to suspend arms sales to Israel after top UN court says risk of genocide in Gaza plausible. But the ruling “goes beyond Israel” alone, Jarrar told Al Jazeera, as it highlights countries’ legal and political obligations to take action to prevent the alleged genocide unfolding in Gaza. “The US can’t and should not continue its arms transfers …

Revealed: The British military hardware used in Israel’s bombardment of Gaza
3 years, 7 months ago

Revealed: The British military hardware used in Israel’s bombardment of Gaza

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Independent put the evidence to the British government – which regulates the export …

US legislators question $735m arms sale to Israel: Report
3 years, 7 months ago

US legislators question $735m arms sale to Israel: Report

Al Jazeera  

Some legislators say most recent US arms sales could be used as leverage on Israel to end violence. Some United States legislators are questioning whether a $735m approved weapons sale to Israel by President Joe Biden’s administration could be used as leverage amid the continuing bombardment of the Gaza Strip, the Washington Post has reported. Some legislators and aides said …

Advocates see ‘opportunity’ in US review of Saudi arms sales
3 years, 9 months ago

Advocates see ‘opportunity’ in US review of Saudi arms sales

Al Jazeera  

Arms control advocates outside the US hope Joe Biden’s Yemen policy shift will spur their gov’ts to take similar action. “And if anything, they’ve taken a somewhat harsh tone in reaction to the Biden initiative.” Billions in weapons sales The British government has stressed it has a separate relationship with Riyadh from the US – both longstanding allies of the …

Arms Sales of Top Indian Defence Firms Slipped by 6.9% Despite Rise in Global Weapon Demand: Report
5 years, 1 month ago

Arms Sales of Top Indian Defence Firms Slipped by 6.9% Despite Rise in Global Weapon Demand: Report

News 18  

Stockholm: The combined sales of three public sector Indian defence companies that figure among the world's 100 top arms suppliers dropped by 6.9 per cent to stand at USD 5.9 billion in 2018 despite a rise in the global weapons sales, according to a new report published by a leading Swedish think tank. The combined arms sales of the three …

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