To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that parts and components sold to the Israeli military are not used in weaponry that targets civilian populations within the occupied territories.
Answered on
25 March 2019
The British Government takes its defence exports 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, when we are satisfied that this would be consistent with the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria and other relevant commitments. All applications for export licences are assessed on a case-by-case basis against strict criteria. We will not issue a licence if there is a clear risk that the equipment might be used for internal repression, or if there is a clear risk that it would provoke or prolong conflict. We continue to monitor closely the situation in Israel and Gaza, and if extant licences are found to be no longer consistent with the Criteria, those licences will be revoked.