Asked by: Patricia Ferguson (Labour - Glasgow West)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has considered the potential merits of ending the export of demolition equipment to Israel.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Exports to Israel of demolition equipment that is specifically designed or modified for military use are subject to export controls.
Such controlled exports fall under the scope of the decision announced in September 2024 to suspend export licences for military equipment to Israel that might be used in operations in Gaza, based on our assessment that the items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of International Humanitarian Law. We have maintained the suspension and have refused new licence applications on the same basis.
Other demolition equipment is not routinely subject to export controls unless it is intended for military use in a country subject to a formal arms embargo.
We keep our export controls including in Israel under close and continual review.