The UK suspended 30 of 350 arms licenses to Israel in 2024, exempted F-35 parts, and has since refused more. What changed, and what critics say is missing.
The UK has suspended or refused more than 80 arms export licences to Israel since September 2024, the Jewish Chronicle reported on September 28, 2026. But a government answer to Parliament says no additional licences were revoked or suspended after the "double lock" announced on September 8, 2026, and UK parts for the multinational F-35 program remain largely exempt.
What Did the UK Suspend in September 2024?
Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced on September 2, 2024 that the UK would suspend around 30 of roughly 350 arms export licences to Israel, saying a review found a clear risk that certain exports might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza. The suspended licences covered components for F-16 aircraft, parts for unmanned aerial vehicles, naval systems and targeting equipment, according to Steptoe's legal summary. Licences for items judged not to be for use in Gaza, such as trainer aircraft and civilian dual-use equipment, continued to be granted.
What Is the 2026 "Double Lock"?
On September 8, 2026 Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced measures targeting Israel's occupation and settlements, including a ban on trade with illegal settlements and a pledge to refuse applications for arms and other exports that materially contribute to the occupation. Middle East Minister Stephen Doughty called the result a "double lock": every licence is now judged against the existing humanitarian-law test and against the UK's position that the occupation is unlawful, as the Jewish Chronicle reported.
Did the Double Lock Cut Any More Licences?
Not according to the government's own answer to Parliament. In a reply to MP Iqbal Mohamed, the trade department said no additional licences had been revoked or suspended since September 8, 2026, largely because licences for items that might materially contribute to the occupation were already suspended over Israel's conduct in Gaza, as Middle East Monitor reported.
The totals are also disputed. The Jewish Chronicle counted more than 80 licences suspended or refused: about 30 suspended in 2024 and more than 50 later refusals. A government source told The Times of Israel the extra refusals were new applications assessed under the existing Gaza restrictions, not an expansion of the ban. Campaign Against Arms Trade puts it at 29 suspended and 56 refused, and says the double lock should not be presented as new suspensions, per Middle East Monitor.
What Is the F-35 Carve-Out?
The carve-out exempts UK exports to the global F-35 Lightning II program from the suspension, except when components go directly to Israel. UK-made parts therefore still enter the shared spare-parts pool that equips the Israeli Air Force. Doughty said in September 2026 that British components for the program remain largely exempt, according to WAFA. The Campaign Against Arms Trade calls this the suspension's central loophole. Parts for Israel's M-346 training aircraft also remain eligible for export, because the government says they are not used in Gaza and do not materially support the occupation.
What Happened to UK-Israel Trade Talks?
On May 20, 2025 the UK suspended talks on a new trade agreement but left the existing free trade agreement in force. Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle told Parliament in January 2026 that the arms-licence pause and the trade-talks pause are "intrinsically linked", per Hansard.
What Do Critics Say Is Still Missing?
Critics say the F-35 exemption and open licences keep large flows outside the controls. Campaign Against Arms Trade says the UK approved at least £178 million of fixed-value military export licences to Israel since October 2023, a figure that excludes open-licence exports such as much of the F-35 contribution, as Asia Times reported. Foreign Affairs Committee chair Emily Thornberry has argued the UK could keep supplying the program while barring parts from aircraft sent to Israel, the approach taken by the Netherlands, which Olam covers in its piece on the Dutch F-35 parts ban. For the broader export picture, see Olam's map of Israel's defense industry.
The Timeline at a Glance
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| September 2, 2024 | UK suspends about 30 of 350 licences and carves out the F-35 program |
| May 20, 2025 | UK pauses talks on a new trade agreement |
| January 2026 | Ministers confirm new applications are still being refused |
| September 8, 2026 | "Double lock" announced alongside settlement-trade ban |
| September 16, 2026 | Government answer says no extra licences revoked or suspended since September 8 |
| September 28, 2026 | Jewish Chronicle reports more than 80 licences suspended or refused in total |
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the UK banned all arms exports to Israel?
No. The UK suspended around 30 of about 350 licences in 2024 and has since refused more, but licences that meet its criteria, including for trainer aircraft and dual-use civilian equipment, continue to be granted.
What is the UK's "double lock" on Israel arms exports?
Announced on September 8, 2026, it requires each licence to pass both the humanitarian-law test and a test of whether the export materially contributes to the unlawful occupation.
What is the F-35 exemption?
UK-made F-35 components are exempt from the suspension for the broader international program, except when they would go directly to Israel.
Has the UK suspended its free trade agreement with Israel?
No. The UK paused talks on an expanded agreement in May 2025, but the existing Israel-UK Free Trade Agreement remains in force.
Sources
The Jewish Chronicle, 80 licences; Middle East Monitor, no new suspensions; Middle East Monitor, CAAT figures; WAFA, F-35 exemption remarks; Steptoe, 2024 suspension; Campaign Against Arms Trade, F-35 carve-out; Hansard, January 2026; Asia Times, licence value.
How we report: Olam stories draw on public filings, company disclosures and named sources, checked by our editors. Read our methodology · Corrections
