LONDON (Dispatches) – The UK government approved $169mn worth of military equipment to the Zionist regime in the three months that followed the Labour government’s partial suspension of arms exports over concerns they could be used unlawfully in Gaza. 
Export data released on Thursday shows that 20 different licenses in categories such as military aircraft, radars, targeting equipment, and explosive devices, were approved between October and December 2024.
Arms campaigners say the three-month total is more than what was approved altogether under the Tory government between 2020 and 2023, and said the increase was “truly shocking”.
“This is the Labour government aiding and abetting Israel’s genocide in Gaza,” said Emily Apple, media coordinator for the UK-based Campaign Against Arms Trade. 
“It is sickening that instead of imposing a full two-way arms embargo, Keir Starmer’s government has massively increased the amount of military equipment the UK is sending to Israel.” 
The released figures also show 15 export licenses for military goods to Israel, which were refused during the same period. It is not clear how much these licenses would have been worth.
They include licenses for data-x-items in many of the same categories as those that were approved, as well as those covering land vehicles and naval vessels.
A spokesperson for the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) said the data “shows we have continued to refuse all licenses for military goods that could be used by Israel in the current conflict”.
“The majority of military licenses by value approved in 2024 is made up of components for data-x-items being produced in Israel for third countries, including our NATO allies, and we continue to assess all license applications on a case-by-case basis against our strict criteria.”
Middle East Eye also asked DBT and the Foreign Office whether either department had been given assurances that the approved military data-x-items would not be used in Gaza or the occupied Palestinian territories, but did not receive answers to this question.
The released data comes as the legal challenge to the UK’s arms export to the Zionist regime, brought by rights groups Al Haq and the Global Legal Action Network, enters its final day at the High Court on Friday.
The case is focused on whether the government has broken the law by continuing to supply F-35 fighter jet parts to a global supply pool, meaning they could eventually end up in Israeli jets and be used to attack Palestinians in Gaza.