Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Strategic Export Licences: Israel

Tuesday 30 April 2024 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The British position on export licences to Israel remains unchanged but will be kept under review.
  • The UK's approach to arms export licences is consistent with most like-minded partners who have not suspended licences.
  • The UK does not believe the ICC has jurisdiction over Israel based on the Rome Statute, though the ICC determines jurisdiction ultimately.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Owen Thompson SNP
Brexit Foreign Affairs
Context

The question arises from concerns about the conduct of military operations in Gaza and potential violations of international humanitarian law.

Question

If the Government will revoke strategic export licences to Israel, given the extensive evidence of potential war crimes and violations by Israel in Gaza. The UK's arms export licence criteria aim to prevent fuelling future atrocities.

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

The British position on export licences is unchanged, but it will be kept under review. The UK's approach is consistent with most like-minded partners who have not suspended existing arms export licences to Israel.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to suspend the transfer of arms to Israel

How: Our Position On The Arms Embargo Is Unchanged

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Q2 Owen Thompson SNP
Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

The question stems from concerns over the potential for UK military weaponry to fuel future atrocities in Gaza based on evidence of war crimes.

Question

Given that the arms export licence criteria aim to prevent fuelling atrocities, does the Minister agree with constituents who believe the Government should now suspend arms transfers to Israel due to potential war crimes and violations?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

Our position on the arms embargo is consistent with most like-minded partners who have not suspended licences. It would be an odd decision for us to take when we use our own military weaponry to defend Israel from attacks.

Not addressed: Agreement that UK policy allows suspending arm transfers outside the licensing system

How: It Would Be An Odd Decision, Our Position Is Consistent With Like-Minded Partners

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Q3 Michael Ellis Con
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question refers to the International Criminal Court's lack of jurisdiction over Israel due to its non-signatory status and previous UK Prime Minister's letter stating that ICC lacks jurisdiction.

Question

Can the Deputy Foreign Secretary confirm if His Majesty's Government still maintains that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over Israel based on the statute of Rome?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

We do not think the ICC has jurisdiction over Israel as stated, but it is ultimately for the ICC to determine.

Answered
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