UK Triples Arms Export Restrictions to Israel

The British government has suspended or refused over 80 export licenses for items potentially used by the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza, nearly tripling the number of restrictions imposed since September 2024. Initially, around 30 licenses were suspended in September, but since then, more than 50 new applications have been rejected, according to the British Jewish Chronicle.

Earlier this month, Britain and France announced a series of sanctions against Israel. British Foreign Secretary David Miliband stated that the UK government has banned imports from settlements in the West Bank and will fully enforce sanctions against those financing them, also outlawing advertisements for land sales in the area. Miliband further emphasized that the "occupation" of the West Bank is illegal.

In response to these measures, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced several actions against the British government and its representatives in Israel, including the closure of the British Consulate in Jerusalem.