Arms exports to Israel

Status / emerging findings

• Of 55 active licences, 9 concern F-35 parts and 44 cover military items including trainer aircraft, submarine components, and air defence systems; government claims none enable Gaza operations
• Only 3 military licences suspended despite 76 suspensions since September 2024; ministers unable to quantify conflict impact
• Approximately 50% of October-December 2024 approvals (£64m) are for re-export to third countries with no post-export monitoring mechanism once equipment leaves the UK
• Post-export verification relies entirely on pre-licensing assessment; Israel bears no burden to demonstrate re-exports occurred

Why it matters

The UK exports military equipment worth billions to Israel; if the licensing system fails to prevent Gaza-related use or re-export without accountability, the government may be complicit in violations of international humanitarian law.

Tone arc

Started as procedural review of licensing regime; became adversarial when committee challenged ministers on the adequacy of suspensions, post-export monitoring gaps, and the government's refusal to declare genocide despite documented civilian casualties.

Key witnesses

Sir Chris Bryant MP (Minister, DBT), Luke Pollard MP, Hamish Falconer MP (Minister, FCDO), Dr Rosemary Pratt, Keith Bethell CBE