The Labour Government has provoked fury after implementing a ‘secret arms embargo’ on Israel.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy had claimed no decision will be made on weapons exports before ‘careful assessments of the law’.
He is expected to bring in a ban on offensive weapons his party claims could be linked to alleged war crimes but delayed his decision until later this summer.
However, the Mail can reveal civil servants have frozen all applications for new arms export licences pending the outcome of his review. It means firms cannot even get permission for contracts for items such as military radios or body armour until a decision is made – which could take months.
This effectively puts Israel on a par with Iran and North Korea despite being Britain’s most vital ally in the Middle East which is at war with Hamas and Hezbollah.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy had claimed no decision will be made on weapons exports before ‘careful assessments of the law’
Iranians burn a representation of the Israeli flag during the funeral ceremony of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard who were killed in an assassination blamed on Israel on Wednesday
Shadow Foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell called the move ‘bizarre’ given Iran is believed to be on the verge of launching an attack against Israel.
He said: ‘Our close ally Israel is under direct threat from Hezbollah, who murdered 12 children in a missile attack last weekend. Just recently British arms and military personnel were deployed to protect Israel from a direct assault by Iran’
Colonel Richard Kemp, former commander of UK forces in Afghanistan, said it was a ‘secret arms embargo’, adding: ‘It is disgraceful Labour have said they’re doing one thing, reviewing the situation, and at the same time imposing what is effectively an arms embargo on Israel.’
The policy does not affect weapons being exported under deals already signed off.
But defence trade body representatives have been told no new requests for licences will proceed until a decision is made by the Government.
A source said: ‘It means any new licence requests are put into Room 101 indefinitely.
‘For years the Labour Left have sought to halt all arms exports to Israel, and now they have the levers of power it seems it’s the first thing they have done.’
Shadow Foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell (pictured with David Lammy) called the move ‘bizarre’ given Iran is believed to be on the verge of launching an attack against Israel
Colonel Richard Kemp, former commander of UK forces in Afghanistan, said it was a ‘secret arms embargo’
The latest revelation risks overshadowing Defence Secretary John Healey’s first visit to Israel.
He arrived in Tel Aviv yesterday to meet his counterpart Yoav Gallant and ‘discussed the important defence ties between Israel and the UK’.
But news that fresh export licences have been frozen is likely to provoke fury in Israel.
The Government said: ‘It is vital we uphold both our domestic and international legal obligations when it comes to arms exports.
‘We are reviewing the advice available and will come to a considered decision.’