Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Arms and Military Cargo Export Controls Israel 2025-06-02

02 June 2025 · 10 other contributors

Opened by Steve Witherden Lab Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr

DefenceForeign Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Steve Witherden raised concerns about arms and military cargo export controls israel 2025-06-02 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • UK Government approved 127.6 million in single-issue arms licences to Israel between October and December 2024.
  • The report 'Exposing UK arms exports to Israel' details continued exports of military items such as bombs, grenades, and armoured vehicle parts despite licence suspensions.
  • RAF-linked flights from Akrotiri to Israeli airspace have raised questions about the legality of these shipments.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Steve Witherden Lab Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr

I rise to speak about British arms and military cargo export controls—specifically, our exports to Israel amid one of the most devastating conflicts in modern memory. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian casualties, including over 50,000 children injured or killed. Despite this, UK exports continue without transparency and regard for international humanitarian law. Between October and December 2024, the Government approved £127.6 million in single-issue arms licences to Israel, more than the total from 2020 to 2023 combined. The report 'Exposing UK arms exports to Israel' reveals that despite suspending key export licences, thousands of military items continue to be exported. These include bombs, grenades, torpedoes, mines, missiles, and armoured vehicle parts. RAF-linked flights from Akrotiri to Israeli airspace raise serious questions about the purpose and legality of these shipments. The F-35 fighter jet programme is heavily reliant on UK components, raising concerns over complicity in war crimes. I urge the Government to stop arms exports immediately and provide clarity and accountability.

Other contributors (10)
  • Warinder Juss Lab Wolverhampton West

    Does my hon. Friend agree that it is completely conceivable that those weapons have been used to kill and maim children in Gaza, and therefore the only humane and reasonable option is for us to suspend all arms export licences to Israel?

  • Kim Johnson Lab Liverpool Riverside

    Does my hon. Friend agree that the Minister must confirm without delay the exact purpose of RAF flights from Akrotiri to Israeli airspace and their role in transporting military equipment?

  • Richard Burgon Lab Leeds East

    The use of F-35 jets for attacks on Gaza, such as the al-Mawasi attack last July, clearly violates international humanitarian law. We need to stop these exports immediately.

  • Vikki Slade LD Mid Dorset and North Poole

    Does the hon. Member support requiring all exported items used in military conflicts to have full licences for transparency?

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Will the hon. Gentleman acknowledge that Israel is still under daily attack and cannot be left without means to defend itself, while ensuring actions taken here do not simply reset the gauge of casualties?

  • Ellie Chowns Green North Herefordshire

    Does the hon. Member agree that our obligation under international law requires us to stop all arms exports to Israel now, given clear evidence of war crimes and genocide in Gaza?

  • Shockat Adam Ind Leicester South

    The Minister must explain how suspending arms negotiations with Israel aligns with sending trade envoys there.

  • Kirsty Blackman SNP Aberdeen North

    Clarify the 'red lines' set by the Secretary of State for stopping F-35 parts to Israel, given current conditions in Gaza.

  • Rachael Maskell Lab/Co-op York Central

    Question who sets rules for spare parts pool for F-35s and whether the UK can block components going to Israeli F-35s.

  • Alexander

    The Minister responded to the concerns raised about transparency and licensing data, providing detailed information on the types of licences remaining extant for Israel.

Government Response

Not provided in transcript

The Minister's response is not included in the provided transcript. The Government have suspended arms licences for items that could be used in military operations in Gaza, including F-16 fighter aircraft components, targeting systems, and parts for unmanned aerial vehicles. Licences are granted based on compliance with international humanitarian law; however, it is not possible to suspend licensing of F-35 components specifically for Israel without ceasing supply to the entire global F-35 programme. The Government support the programme due to its importance for NATO allies' security. We continue to provide military grade body armour used by NGOs and journalists. The UK makes about 15% of the components for the F-35, but suspending supply would undermine European and global security. The Minister emphasises that UK is not selling parts directly to Israel for F-35 use. In December we laid in the Library of the House an exceptional release of export licensing data focused specifically on Israel. Remaining licences relate to non-military items, military items for civilian use, or items not for use in military operations in Gaza. Of the 352 licences extant for Israel, as of 6 December, 191 were non-military and included commercial aircraft components, equipment for private manufacturing firms, and parts for submersible vessels for scientific research. There are 161 licences relating to military equipment, but less than half relate to the Government of Israel or the IDF; most related either to UK components for re-export or military-grade items for civilians such as body armour for journalists and NGOs. The UK is not allowing the direct export of arms for use in Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Exports of F-35 components directly to Israel are therefore suspended unless they are for re-export. Since September, we have refused all licence applications for military goods that might be used by Israel in the current conflict. More applications were refused in 2024 than in the preceding four years combined.

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