Britain is reviewing Israel arms export licences

Britain is undertaking a second review of arms export licences to Israel to ensure equipment could not be used in a way that would breach international law, the government said on Monday.

The government has already conducted one such review, in August, in response to Israel's conflict with Hamas in Gaza after which it said it would suspend 12 licences to export military items to Israel if hostilities resumed.

It said on Monday it was conducting another review a day after Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian in the Gaza Strip near the border with Israel, the first such fatality since a 50-day war ended in August.

"To ensure that new information is taken into account, and in light of the fact that a ceasefire has been in place for more than two months, ministers decided earlier this month to carry out a further review," a government spokeswoman said in a statement.

The earlier August review had found that the "vast majority" of exports licensed for Israel were not for items that could be used by Israeli forces in Gaza, she added.

A report by a British parliamentary committee in July found outstanding government-approved contracts for export of dual use or military goods to Israel worth more than 7.8 billion pounds. These included contracts to supply body armour, drone components, and missile parts.

Lobby group the Campaign Against Arms Trade published an analysis of government data on Monday which showed Britain had approved military licences to Israel worth £7 million in the six months leading up to the war in Gaza.

The government said it did not dispute the figure.

News
Over 320,000 people sign petition opposing Macron's '21st century mark' on Notre-Dame
Over 320,000 people sign petition opposing Macron's '21st century mark' on Notre-Dame

Over 323,000 people have signed a petition in opposition to new stained-glass window designs for Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Nicki Minaj says she has rekindled her relationship with God
Nicki Minaj says she has rekindled her relationship with God

Rapper Nicki Minaj opened up about her recently reignited relationship with God and what inspired her to speak out for persecuted Christians, suggesting that her rise in the music industry made it more challenging to maintain the spirituality of her youth. 

Legal action launched challenge to civil service participation in LGBT Pride events
Legal action launched challenge to civil service participation in LGBT Pride events

The Christian Institute has initiated legal proceedings against Keir Starmer in a bid to end civil service participation in controversial Pride marches. 

National Lottery Heritage Fund awards £7.3m to historic churches
National Lottery Heritage Fund awards £7.3m to historic churches

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded more than £7.3 million to help maintain four historic churches.