UK greenlit $169m in military goods to Israel in three months after a partial arms embargo

The UK government approved $169m worth of military equipment to Israel in the three months that followed the Labour government’s partial suspension of arms exports over concerns they could be used unlawfully in Gaza.

Export data released on Thursday shows that 20 different licences in categories such as military aircraft, radars, targeting equipment, and explosive devices, were approved between October and December 2024.

Arms campaigners say the three-month total is more than what was approved altogether under the Tory government between 2020 and 2023, and said the increase was “truly shocking”.

“This is the Labour government aiding and abetting Israel’s genocide in Gaza,” said Emily Apple, media coordinator for the UK-based Campaign Against Arms Trade.

  • BrainInABox@lemmy.mlEnglish
    23·
    3 days ago

    Look, I get you want to be ideologically pure, but that final option is obviously not a sensible one. We live in a world where there are shades of grey, not just black and white, and that means sometimes you have to pick the lesser of two evils.

    I don’t think any sane person could look at the that final option and say that it’s worse than participating in active genocide.

    • TheGrandNagus@lemmy.worldEnglish
      22·
      3 days ago

      We aren’t participating in genocide. Israel is participating in genocide.

      By this definition of participating in genocide, we’re participating in genocide any time we trade with China, too.

      • BrainInABox@lemmy.mlEnglish
        11·
        3 days ago

        “we aren’t involved in the Holocaust, we’re just selling the Nazis Zyklon B” (and you’re also flying surveillance aircraft over Gaza for Israel)

        And China hasn’t killed tens of thousands of Muslims, so no.