Johnson has been a long-standing ally of Israel, calling any consideration to end arms sales “insane” and “shameful” earlier this year.
Britain has just over 350 export licenses with Israel. The U.K. has stressed that its move does not amount to an arms embargo, but said the number of civilian deaths and the scale of destruction in the current Gaza conflict have caused great concern.
The move has been sharply criticized by Israel, however. The country’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said he was “deeply disheartened” by the curbs, while Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said the decision “sends a very problematic message” to Hamas and Iran.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said the announcement “beggars belief” and “will serve to encourage our shared enemies.” He questioned the timing of the decision, which came “at the very moment when six hostages murdered in cold blood by cruel terrorists were being buried by their families.”
Helen Whateley, a spokesperson for the opposition Conservative Party, questioned whether it was “a sign of Labour giving into pressure from backbenches rather than necessarily doing the right thing.”
‘Clear risk’
Standing by the move Tuesday morning, U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey said the U.K. had a duty “to tell the hardest truths” to its “closest friends,” and stressed that it remained committed to supporting Israel if it came under direct attack again.
