Reuters. Britain's Defence Minister John Healey said on Tuesday (September 3) the country's suspension of 30 of its 350 arms export licenses to Israel does not change the fact that Britain remains a "staunch ally."
British exports amount to less than 1% of the total arms Israel receives, and the minister said the suspension would not have a material impact on Israel's security, and Britain continued to support its right to self-defence.
Former national security adviser Lord Peter Ricketts told BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday (September 3) the decision is "long overdue."
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said the decision was disappointing and "sends a very problematic message" to Islamist militant group Hamas and its patrons in Iran.
Both Israeli and Palestinian leaders are being investigated for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the wake of the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas in southern Israel, which killed 1,200 people, by Israeli tallies.
The Israeli response in Gaza has killed more than 40,700 people, according to Palestinian health authorities.
