British police forces have purchased ammunition from an Israeli arms manufacturer despite the UK government’s suspension of some arms export licenses to Israel due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Documents obtained through freedom of information requests reveal that several UK police departments acquired bullets from Israeli Weapon Industries (IWI) in recent months, raising questions about the consistency of the government’s position on arms trade with Israel during the Gaza conflict.
The purchases occurred after the UK government announced in April that it would suspend approximately 30 arms export licenses to Israel due to concerns about potential violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza. However, the suspension appears not to have affected imports of Israeli-made ammunition for domestic law enforcement use.
Police Procurement Details
According to the obtained records, at least three major police forces in England purchased 9mm ammunition manufactured by IWI since the beginning of 2023. The Metropolitan Police, responsible for policing London, was among the departments that acquired the Israeli-made bullets for their firearms units.
A spokesperson for one of the police forces confirmed the purchases but emphasized that they were made through approved UK-based suppliers rather than directly from the Israeli manufacturer. The spokesperson stated that all procurement followed standard procedures and complied with existing regulations.
The ammunition is primarily used for training purposes and as standard issue for armed response units, which represent a small percentage of British police officers, as most do not routinely carry firearms.
Government Position on Arms Trade
The UK government’s decision to suspend certain arms export licenses to Israel came after mounting pressure from human rights organizations and some parliamentarians who expressed concerns about the use of British-made weapons in Gaza.
Foreign Secretary David Cameron stated in April that the suspension would remain in place “until we can be confident that there is no clear risk that items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law.”
However, the suspension specifically targeted export licenses, not imports of Israeli-made weapons or ammunition for domestic use in the UK. This distinction has allowed police forces to continue purchasing Israeli-manufactured ammunition through UK distributors.
Legal and Ethical Questions
The revelation has prompted criticism from human rights advocates who argue that any arms trade with Israeli companies during the Gaza conflict contradicts the spirit of the government’s export license suspension.
A representative from Campaign Against Arms Trade said: “There appears to be a disconnect between the government’s public position on arms exports to Israel and its willingness to allow imports from Israeli arms manufacturers. This raises serious questions about the UK’s commitment to ensuring its trade policies don’t contribute to human rights violations.”
Legal experts note that while the police purchases don’t violate the letter of the export suspension, they may undermine its intended purpose of distancing the UK from military actions in Gaza that have resulted in thousands of civilian casualties.
The main concerns include:
- The financial benefit to Israeli arms manufacturers during an active conflict
- The apparent contradiction in government policy regarding arms trade with Israel
- Questions about procurement ethics during international conflicts
The Home Office, which oversees UK policing, has defended the purchases, stating that police forces operate independently when making procurement decisions and must follow their own guidelines for equipment acquisition.
As the conflict in Gaza continues, the UK government faces increasing pressure to clarify its position on all forms of arms trade with Israel, including both exports and imports. Meanwhile, police forces maintain that their procurement decisions are based solely on operational requirements and value for money considerations.
