David Lammy Faces Backlash Over ‘Misleading’ Parliament on Arms to Israel

Foreign Secretary David Lammy is under scrutiny after revelations emerged that the UK continued exporting thousands of military items to Israel despite a partial suspension of arms licences. In September 2024, the UK government announced the suspension of 30 out of 350 arms export licences to Israel, citing a “clear risk” of violations of international humanitarian law. However, a recent investigation by advocacy groups, including the Palestinian Youth Movement, found that UK-based firms still shipped items such as bombs, grenades, and armoured vehicle components. This has raised serious questions about whether Parliament was misled regarding the true extent of ongoing arms trade activities.

Lammy had previously assured Parliament that the remaining export licences were strictly for defensive purposes, including components tied to the F-35 fighter jet program, which is considered vital to NATO operations. But critics argue that this selective suspension does not align with the UK’s commitment to international law, especially given the nature and volume of the exported items. The partial measures have sparked accusations that the UK government is taking a contradictory stance, publicly decrying civilian harm in Gaza while continuing to support Israel’s military infrastructure.

The political fallout is intensifying, with Labour MPs such as John McDonnell and Zarah Sultana demanding an independent inquiry and calling on Lammy to clarify his statements. These revelations have deepened divisions within the Labour Party and raised concerns over potential complicity in alleged war crimes. With international scrutiny mounting and public trust at stake, the government faces increasing pressure to bring transparency and accountability to its arms export policies.