Author: DCUK EDITORIAL

UK government suspends arms export licences to Israel after almost 11 months of fighting. Foreign Secretary David Lammy froze around 30 out of approximately 350 licences due to the risk of war crimes. Past Conservative government did not cancel any licences, implicating former officials. The new restrictions show complicity in Israel’s actions. The decision has been met with criticism for not going far enough, especially as Labour continues to supply parts for Israel’s F-35 fighter jets. The move has sparked tension with Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to secure victory. An F-35 jet was used in a deadly…

The recent resignation of Mark Smith, a UK diplomat, highlights concerns over Britain’s support for Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Smith, who previously assessed arms sales legality for the Foreign Office, cited Israeli war crimes as a reason for his resignation, emphasizing the lack of justification for UK arms sales to Israel. His departure underscores growing unease within the Foreign Office and Department for Business, where staff are wary of working on arms export licenses to Israel. Smith is not alone in his dissent, as revealed by Declassified, with only a handful of Foreign Office staff escalating complaints…