Incoherence over arms exports to Israel leaves UK on shaky middle ground

David Lammy’s announcement of a suspension on 30 arms export licences to Israel finally returns some credibility to the UK’s arms control rules, but its obvious incoherence may leave the Labour government in a position that is unsustainable.

The UK government’s own guidance has long been clear. Britain’s position is that it will “not issue export licences if there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law”.