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Israel: Arms Trade

Question for Foreign and Commonwealth Office

UIN 107360, tabled on 12 October 2017

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the humanitarian effect on Palestinians of UK arms sales to Israel.

Answered on

20 October 2017

​While we have not made any assessment on this issue, the Government takes its defence export responsibilities extremely seriously and operates some of the most robust export controls in the world. We only approve equipment which is for Israel's legitimate self defence and where we are satisfied it would be consistent with the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria and other relevant commitments. We continue to assess the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories and take into account the latest circumstances when assessing licence applications.

Answered by

Foreign and Commonwealth Office