UK Tightens Export Controls on Items to Israel

The United Kingdom has significantly increased restrictions on the export of items that could be used by the Israeli military in Gaza. Since 2024, the UK has suspended 29 existing export licenses and rejected approximately 50 additional applications, bringing the total number of blocked licenses and applications to over 80. This escalation follows an earlier announcement in September 2024, when the UK suspended 29 licenses.

According to reports, the expanded criteria for evaluating exports to Israel mean that applications will be rejected if they are deemed to "materially contribute" to the continuation of Israeli control over Palestinian territories. This new policy, announced in September, also subjects existing licenses to ongoing review, with the possibility of suspension or cancellation.

British Middle East Minister, Stephen Doughty, confirmed in Parliament that over 80 export licenses related to Gaza have been suspended or denied and remain in effect. He clarified that these do not represent a complete arms embargo, and hundreds of licenses remain valid. The suspended or rejected items are not exclusively military; they can include equipment that might be integrated into systems of UK allies or items like protective vests and medicines.

In September 2024, the UK government first announced the suspension of around 30 of approximately 350 export licenses to Israel, citing a "clear risk" that certain items could be used to violate international humanitarian law. At that time, the government reiterated its recognition of Israel's right to self-defense. Despite the recent tightening, the UK continues to export to Israel, with 203 military and 192 non-military export licenses remaining active as of February 2026.