A former UK security adviser and member of the British House of Lords, Peter Ricketts, has called for the cessation of weapon sales to Israel. Ricketts expressed concerns over Israel's alleged failure to prioritize the safety of civilians in conflict zones.
Ricketts emphasized that countries receiving arms from the UK must adhere to international humanitarian law as a condition of their arms export license. He urged the UK government to take a stand and send a clear signal to Israel regarding its obligations.
In response to Ricketts' statements, a UK government spokesperson stated that assessments of Israel's compliance with international humanitarian law are continuously reviewed. The spokesperson reiterated that all export license applications are meticulously evaluated based on the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria.
Secretary of State for Defense Grant Shapps previously disclosed that the UK's defense exports to Israel were relatively modest, totaling 42 million pounds ($56.7 million) the previous year. Shapps underscored the rigorous criteria that govern the export of defense equipment to Israel.
The debate surrounding the UK's arms sales to Israel underscores the delicate balance between economic interests and human rights considerations in the realm of international arms trade. The UK government's stance on this issue will likely be influenced by ongoing assessments of Israel's adherence to international humanitarian law.
