UK MPs to grill ministers over arms exports to Israel

Three ministers responsible for arms exports to Israel have been summoned by parliament’s committee overseeing UK exports to explain possible loopholes in the rules. MPs are concerned that arms companies may be using the partial nature of the arms export ban imposed last September by the UK to send weaponry to Israel for use in Gaza, in breach of an undertaking by ministers. He assured MPs “arms are not getting to Israel that could be used in Gaza”. However, the latest figures show the government authorised more than £61m in single-issue licences for military goods with an end user in Israel. He asks for an explanation for the increase and the proportion of arms going to the Israeli state.