Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Livingston of Parkhead on 18 August (HL1576) on British military exports to Israel, whether they will clarify the uses of components for combat aircraft, drones, targeting equipment, military radar, weapon night sights, anti-armour ammunition, sniper rifles and high powered radio frequency weapons systems; and whether those components constitute a particular weapon or system being used for internal repression or external aggression as specified in the Export Control Act 2002.

The Government’s review of extant export licences for Israel, the results of which were announced on 12 August, found that the vast majority of licences are not for items that could be used by Israeli forces in operations in Gaza. However the review did identify 12 licences for components which could be part of equipment used by Israeli Defence Forces in Gaza. These licences include components for combat aircraft, components for military radars, and components for targeting equipment. The Government will suspend these licences in the event of a resumption of significant hostilities.

The majority of the remaining licences are for components to be incorporated into other equipment for onward supply to third countries, for test or demonstration purposes, or for hunting and sports shooting.

The Government is currently conducting a further review of licences for Israel. The outcome of the review will be announced in due course.