UK refuses to match Germany in lifting partial arms embargo on Israel

Britain will not follow Germany in lifting its partial arms embargo on Israel, a Downing Street spokesperson told reporters on November 17, as per Jewish media.

Earlier the same day, a German government spokesperson announced that Berlin would reverse the partial ban on arms sales to Israel that had been in place since August 8.

Government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said Germany welcomed the October 10 ceasefire in Gaza, which had “stabilised in recent weeks,” and would now return to reviewing weapons export requests “on a case-by-case basis” while monitoring further developments.

The decision was applauded by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who wrote on X that he welcomed Chancellor Merz’s move “to revoke the decision regarding the partial ‘embargo’” and urged other governments to follow Germany’s example.

However, when asked about the UK’s stance, a No. 10 spokesperson said there was no change to the British government’s policy, which remains “under constant review.”

The UK introduced its partial arms ban in September of last year. At the time, then–foreign secretary David Lammy told Parliament that while the government “have not and could not arbitrate on whether or not Israel has breached international humanitarian law,” it was legally bound under the Strategic Export Licensing Criterion to refuse licences where there is a clear risk that exported weapons “might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.”

“With regret,” Lammy told MPs, “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.”

The decision was criticised at the time by Kemi Badenoch, who argued the move was political rather than legal. She repeated this view in an interview with the JC last month, saying that during her tenure as trade secretary “it was quite clear that all Israel was doing was defending itself.”

Meanwhile, the government has faced criticism from anti-Israel protesters and some Labour MPs for exempting components of the high-tech F-35 fighter jet from any export restrictions. Earlier this year, Defence Minister Luke Pollard defended that exemption, saying it was “necessary” due to the F-35 programme’s “broader strategic role in NATO and its wider implications for international peace and security.”

By Tamilla Hasanova