Exclusive: UK likely to restrict arms sales to Israel and drop ICC objection

The UK is likely to introduce restrictions on arms sales to Israel, Middle East Eye can reveal. It is also expected to drop its objection to the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant for senior Israeli leaders.

Well-informed sources within the Labour Party told Middle East Eye that in the coming days the government is likely to introduce some restrictions on arms sales but not suspend sales entirely.

The development comes after Foreign Secretary David Lammy said last week that he requested a comprehensive review of Israel’s compliance with international humanitarian law on his first day in office.

Sources told MEE that the announced restrictions are likely to be on the sale of offensive weapons. The foreign secretary told MPs last week that given the attacks by the Houthis, Hezbollah and Hamas on Israel, it would “not be right to have a blanket ban between our countries”.

He suggested he was looking at offensive weapons Israel could use in Gaza as part of the review he had ordered.

READ MORE: Exclusive: UK likely to restrict arms sales to Israel and drop ICC objection