UK will stop arms sale to Israel should fighting resume

Ben Sales

(JTA) – The United Kingdom will not allow a weapons sale to Israel to move forward should Israel and Hamas continue fighting once a three-day truce expires.

If the conflict continues British Business Secretary Vincent Cable plans to block 12 arms export licenses to Israel, according to the Times of Israel. The licenses include radar equipment and parts for tanks and aircraft. The U.K. will also not grant new licenses until the fighting ends.

“We welcome the current ceasefire in Gaza and hope that it will lead to a peaceful resolution,” Cable said in a statement, according to the Times of Israel. “However, the U.K. government has not been able to clarify if the export licence criteria are being met.”

Other British politicians have called for a tougher line on Israel since the beginning of the current conflict last month. British Foreign Office official Sayeeda Warsi resigned her post on August 5 to protest British support of Israel.