Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government drew criticism from Israel and the UK’s Chief Rabbi over its decision to suspend some arms licenses due to concerns the use of British components in Gaza risks violating international humanitarian law.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Monday told the House of Commons that Britain would suspend some 30 of the UK’s 350-odd export licenses to Israel, covering components used in F-16 fighter aircraft, helicopters, drones and naval systems, as well as items that facilitate ground targeting. He didn’t announce the duration of the suspension, saying only ministers would keep the matter under review.

“The assessment I have received leaves me unable to conclude anything other than that for certain UK arms exports to Israel, there does exist a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law,” he said.

The decision by the Labour government - in power for just two months - opens it up to criticism both by supporters of Israel, who say Britain is pulling support from a key ally of the West and a bastion of democracy in the Middle East - and by critics of Israel’s military action in Gaza, who say the suspension of about 10% of licenses doesn’t go far enough.

Starmer’s spokesman, Dave Pares, told reporters on Tuesday that Britain had communicated its decision to the US, Israel and other allies before announcing it on Monday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office called the UK decision “shameful,” pointing out that Hamas is still holding more than 100 hostages - including five Britons - 11 months after its terrorist attack on Israel sparked the current conflict. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said he was “deeply disheartened” by the move.

Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, told the BBC it sent a “terrible, terrible message” to announce the move while Israel was still reeling from the deaths of six hostages held by Hamas since the group - branded a terrorist organisation by the UK and others - attacked the country on Oct 7 last year. UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, meanwhile, said the decision “beggars belief” and warned the announcement “will serve to encourage our shared enemies”.

Defence Secretary John Healey told BBC radio on Tuesday that the government chose Monday to announce the decision because it was Lammy’s earliest opportunity to report to Parliament after the legal review was completed over the summer.

“This is a government with a duty to the rule of law,” he said. “It’s not a decision about pleasing any side.”

Lammy’s decision - communicated to the US administration on Sunday - followed a review of the UK arms export regime, which grants permits to defence firms making military equipment for Israel. The UK government is not among countries like the US in sending weapons to Israel directly.

The foreign secretary said the suspension doesn’t amount to an arms embargo and won’t have a material impact on Israel’s security. He added that the government has not and could not arbitrate on whether or not Israel has breached international humanitarian law.

UK components for the F-35 fighter program will be excluded from the suspension, except when going directly to Israel, to avoid impacting the global fleet.

Amnesty International said the UK move is “too limited and riddled with loopholes,” while Zarah Sultana - who’s sitting as an independent Member of Parliament after being suspended by Labour - criticised the government for halting just a “fraction” of arms licenses to Israel, saying all should be banned.

While the UK provides less than 1% of Israel’s weapons and is not a state supplier, the Labour government - and the Conservative one before it - have come under increasing pressure to review arms exports. The previous administration resisted calls to halt the sale of British arms to Israel in part over concern it would impact its relationship with the US, which is leading efforts to reach a cease-fire deal.

Vice-President and Democrat nominee Kamala Harris told CNN last week that she doesn’t intend to withhold some weapons shipments to Israel and instead wants to prioritise getting a cease-fire.

The move comes after the current governing party suffered some unexpected losses during its landslide election victory two months ago, as Labour candidates in areas with large Muslim populations were ousted over Starmer’s staunch backing for Israel in the conflict in Gaza. Taking a harder line against Netanyahu’s prosecution of the war could help soften dissent ahead of the Labour Party’s annual conference later this month.

But it also falls at a time when Western allies are increasingly concerned about Iran’s involvement in the conflict. Iran’s nuclear fuel levels rose over the last three months, the United Nations watchdog said last week, potentially ratcheting up tensions that have threatened to spill into a regional war.

Labour Friends of Israel said it doesn’t believe the restrictions will help bring an end to the conflict in Gaza and is “deeply concerned by the signal this sends to Iran.”

“We fear therefore that these restrictions risk encouraging Israel’s enemies, leading to greater escalation rather than deescalation,” it said.

  - Bloomberg