The Illegality of the United Kingdom’s Continued Sale of Arms to Israel

The report, issued by the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), addresses the legality of the United Kingdom's continued arms sales to Israel amid allegations of serious violations of international humanitarian law during Israel’s ongoing War on Gaza. Since October 2023, the UK government has approved over 100 new arms export licenses, leading to a total of 345, while opting not to suspend more than 91% of these licenses. Despite numerous calls from legal experts, human rights organisations, and UN representatives to cease these sales, the government has maintained that it cannot conclusively determine the legality of Israel’s military actions.

The report emphasizes that the UK's arms export practices violate both its own Strategic Export Licensing Criteria and international obligations under treaties such as the Arms Trade Treaty and the Genocide Convention. It outlines the risk that UK-made weaponry is being utilised in documented war crimes and highlights the ethical and legal implications of continued arms sales. As the UK arms industry plays a significant role in supplying Israel's military capabilities, the ICJP advocates for an immediate and comprehensive arms embargo, urging the government to recognize its complicity in potential human rights violations through these arms exports.