UK trade department approved 34 military export licences to Israel in the two months since David Lammy announced a partial arms embargo, new data shows.
by John McEvoy
Part 2 - Israel’s compliance with IHL
Chaired by Labour MP Liam Byrne, the committee heard from trade minister Douglas Alexander, foreign minister Stephen Doughty, defence minister Lord Coaker and civil servants Kate Joseph and Stephen Lillie.
The ministers confirmed that the UK government’s earlier judgment on Israel’s non-compliance with IHL centred on the mistreatment of detainees and restrictions of aid to Gaza.
However, they emphasised that a conclusion had still not been reached on whether Israel’s air strikes in Gaza amounted to a violation of IHL.
This was despite officials being reminded that Israeli forces have dropped 2,000lb bombs on densely-populated residential areas, rendered a large part of Gaza uninhabitable, and killed tens of thousands of civilians.
The ministers confirmed that the UK government’s earlier judgment on Israel’s non-compliance with IHL centred on the mistreatment of detainees and restrictions of aid to Gaza.
However, they emphasised that a conclusion had still not been reached on whether Israel’s air strikes in Gaza amounted to a violation of IHL.
This was despite officials being reminded that Israeli forces have dropped 2,000lb bombs on densely-populated residential areas, rendered a large part of Gaza uninhabitable, and killed tens of thousands of civilians.
Speaking for the Foreign Office, Doughty declared: “Obviously we have to apply the evidential tests on these things very very carefully, and obviously there are questions around establishing the exact evidence around say proportionality or intent of an individual strike”.
Last month, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant for the crimes of “murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts”.
However, the UK government has not updated its assessment of Israel’s compliance with IHL since late July. A further review is ostensibly due for release soon, but ministers did not explain why the most recent update has taken so long.
Last month, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant for the crimes of “murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts”.
However, the UK government has not updated its assessment of Israel’s compliance with IHL since late July. A further review is ostensibly due for release soon, but ministers did not explain why the most recent update has taken so long.
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