State Department Comments on UK's Suspension of Arms Licenses to Israel: 'Both Are US Allies'

Washington DC, September 4 :
Following the battle in Gaza, the UK stopped some arms licenses to Israel. The US responded the next day by saying that the US respects the UK's decisions and that the UK takes assessments according to its legal framework.

The United States and the United Kingdom conduct assessments in accordance with their respective legal frameworks; as a result, there are processes that are continuing and occurrences that are being examined, according to the US State Department.

Therefore, we do not disagree with the UK's stance. The point is that the UK does what is right by basing its evaluation on their legal system. During Tuesday's press briefing, Miller stated, "We make an assessment based on our own legal frameworks and looking at, in very — in many cases the same facts." However, he also mentioned that there are continuing processes and occurrences that are still being reviewed.

While he did not address the remarks made by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, he did state that the United Kingdom and Israel are US allies.

I will not remark on the prime minister's statements when it comes to evaluating the decision. The US counts both of these nations as its allies. The United States regards the United Kingdom as an ally, and their effort is respected," he continued.

The United Kingdom has already suspended 30 of Israel's 350 arms export licenses, claiming that there is a "clear risk" that the weapons could be used in grave violations of international humanitarian law.

According to Al Jazeera, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said parliament on Monday that the partial ban does not apply to parts for F-35 fighter jets, but does encompass things "which could be used in the current conflict in Gaza" against Hamas.

Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, strongly disagreed with the British government's assessment that this action will do nothing but "embolden Hamas." He went on to say that Israel will not back down from its goal of winning this fight, no matter how much backing the UK gives it.

"Israel will win this war and secure our common future with or without British arms," the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel tweeted on X.

Calling it a "shameful move that will not change Israel's determination to defeat Hamas," he pointed out, "Instead of standing with Israel, a fellow democracy defending itself against barbarism, Britain's misguided decision will only embolden Hamas."