UK sets conditions for resuming arms transfers to Israel

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has outlined two key conditions for lifting the UK's restrictions on arms transfers to Israel during a recent phone call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Lammy informed Blinken that any lifting of the restrictions would require Israel to agree to a ceasefire and grant full access to international organizations for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

On September 2, the UK announced the suspension of 30 out of approximately 350 defence export licenses to Israel.

Blinken expressed a desire for the UK to remove these restrictions while noting that the US is continuously monitoring Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) operations in the Gaza Strip to ensure compliance with international law. Despite this, Blinken reaffirmed US support for Israel and its actions in the region.

Lammy assured Blinken that the UK does not plan to impose additional restrictions on arms supplies to Israel in the near future. While British defence exports to Israel are relatively minor, the suspension of 30 licenses affects crucial components such as spare parts for fighter jets, helicopters, UAVs, and other modern military equipment.