Arms Export Licences: Israel — [Sir Christopher Chope in the Chair]

I intervened to express concern that we are discussing human rights while simultaneously sending arms that violate Palestinians' human rights on the 75th anniversary of the UN's universal declaration of human rights.

I thank the hon. Lady for securing the debate, suggesting companies know what they are doing and should show us all exactly what is happening regarding arms sales to Israel. Asked whether 18,000 civilian deaths in Gaza could be considered defence, adding that there are now 800 experts who say the conflict might amount to genocide.

I thanked my hon. Friend for securing the debate and highlighted the significant increase in BAE Systems' stock prices due to UK arms exports to Israel. I mentioned that 18,825 Palestinians have been killed since October, which is a higher number than civilian deaths reported in Ukraine or Sudan. The Government set their own precedent for pausing export licences in response to reports that the criteria might have been breached. In 2019, they suspended arms exports to NATO-allied Turkey following its invasion of Syria.

I thank my hon. Friend for securing this extremely important debate, touching on the arms sales that have continued over a number of years and suspending arms sales where it is clear there are concerns about human rights violations. The hon. Member agrees with the lead MP's stance, highlighting past instances where UK halted arms sales to Israel and stressing the current need for similar action due to clear violations of international law.

Clarke-Smith emphasized the brutality of Hamas's attack on Israel, highlighting that over 12,000 rockets have been launched at Israel since October. He stressed the importance of protecting civilians during conflicts and encouraged safe routes and humanitarian pauses to minimise casualties.

I thank the hon. Lady for her powerful and important speech, putting on record the name of Professor Refaat Alareer who lost his life in an airstrike. She also expressed concern about the UK continuing to supply weapons to Israel. Asked if 6,000 child deaths could be considered defence and questioned whether supporting Israel's bombardment of Gaza would make Britain complicit in a potential genocide.

I thank the hon. Lady for her powerful speech, questioning whether UK export controls help ensure that controlled items are not used in serious violations of international humanitarian law.

Ms Webbe intervened to point out that the UK has licensed over £470 million in arms sales to Israel since 2015, with actual figures possibly higher due to hidden open licences. She called for greater transparency from the Government regarding the extent of arms licensing.

Said that serious experts do not believe the destruction of Hamas is possible, asking how many deaths it will take for the UK Government to stop supporting Israel's aim.

I thank my hon. Friend for her excellent speech, associating remarks with the personal approach she has taken in discussing arm sales to Israel.

I thank my hon. Friend for securing this powerful debate. She mentioned that the UK Government have closed export licences with Israel, questioning whether any arms exported from the country are used to facilitate unlawful military action.

My hon. Friend is making an excellent speech and rightly highlights the humanitarian nightmare people in Gaza face. She agrees that there must be an immediate suspension of exports if arms or components used in arms are used to commit war crimes.

Corbyn asked Clarke-Smith an additional question about what is carried in RAF planes flying directly from RAF Akrotiri to Israel.

The MP supported the Government's position on continuing arms sales to Israel, stating that Thales in his constituency is a key employer and contributor to Northern Ireland's economy. He argued that Thales products have been crucial in Ukraine's defence against Russia and that the UK supports Israel's right to defend itself within international humanitarian law.

Mr McDonnell raised concerns about the legality of arms exports to Israel, citing Article 8 of the Rome statute on war crimes. He questioned whether British weapons are being used in Gaza and called for a review similar to Lord Cameron's review from previous conflicts. Mr McDonnell also asked if there have been any shipments of spare parts for F-16 and/or F-35 aircraft. Requested a detailed response from the Government on specific questions raised by War on Want and other agencies.

Hamas could solve this by removing themselves from their disastrous control of Gaza and if there are war crimes on any scale, arms sales should cease immediately with a full and immediate ceasefire.

She paid tribute to constituents who have contacted her about the conflict in Gaza, expressing concern that the UK Government is complicit in mass slaughter and ethnic cleansing. She highlighted the strategic export licensing criteria that could be used to revoke licences if there is a risk of arms being used for internal repression or breaches of international law, questioning why these benchmarks are not being acted upon.

He endorsed the points made by Zarah Sultana and addressed indirect complicity through military aid to Israel. He criticised the provision of combat medical supplies as 'aid' and called for transparency regarding operations at RAF Akrotiri involving US flights supporting Israeli military activities.

Focused on the rise of violent attacks and intimidation by illegal settlers in the West Bank, criticising the IDF's inaction or complicity.

Ms de Cordova supported the points made by her colleague, emphasizing that UK complicity in arming Israel could result in being found guilty of a war crime given the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

Mr Docherty expressed concern over the intersection of the conflict in Gaza with debates on immigration, arguing that UK Government actions could influence population movements and geopolitical instability. He also highlighted concerns about Israel's adherence to international law, citing a potential impact on other states' compliance with international obligations. Mr Docherty called for an end to arms licences and weapons exports to Israel, urging proactive measures to prevent civilian casualties.

The MP expressed concern about the resumption of fighting and killing in Israel, particularly targeting innocent Palestinians. He cited Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International reports on war crimes committed by Israel and mentioned that over 21,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than half the population displaced. The MP called for an urgent suspension of UK arms exports to Israel due to serious violations amounting to crimes under international law.

Described the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, highlighting that civilians constitute a significant majority of casualties and called for an immediate ceasefire and suspension of arms sales to Israel.

Mr. Richard Burgon questioned the Minister on how many deaths in Gaza could be linked to UK arms sales, suggesting that the inability to answer such questions highlights a need for suspending arms sales to Israel.

Noted that Hezbollah in northern Israel poses a larger threat with up to 130,000 rockets compared to Hamas and suggested the conflict is part of a proxy war. I argued for stronger parliamentary scrutiny of arms transfers to Israel due to the lack of regular meetings by Committees on Arms Export Controls. I noted that Israel was designated a human rights priority country in 2021 but slipped from the list in 2022, suggesting it should not receive UK arms. Mr. Richard Foord highlighted that the lack of a Minister addressing the issue concerning four Departments indicates potential issues with the Committees on Arms Export Controls functioning properly. Asked the Minister to give way.

Asked the Minister to give way.

Israel is fighting a war it did not want or start against an enemy that embeds its terrorist infrastructure in civilian areas, and Israel has the legal right to defend itself against Hamas.

We are often told by Ministers that we have one of the toughest arms export control regimes, yet evidence of how these tough rules are applied in practice is rarely seen. This leaves him suspecting that this regime really is not what it is cracked up to be.

He echoed concerns about judicial review proceedings against the Government's arms exports to Israel, noting a £474 million value of arms trade since 2015. He argued that there is clear evidence of war crimes committed with UK-provided weapons and called for an end to all arms sales to Israel.

I thank the hon. Lady for securing this debate and allowing us to call for a halt to arms sales to Israel, stating that halting arms sales until it can be proven that these arms are not being used as part of war crimes would increase the Government's credibility.

My hon. Friend is making an excellent speech, and she is absolutely right to ask why the UK abstained in the vote at the United Nations.

Mr. Wayne David expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and supported Israel's right to defend itself but argued that this is not an unqualified right and must adhere to international law principles of necessity, distinction, proportionality, and precaution.