Government faces judicial review over its assessments of whether Israel is breaking international law in Gaza
Decisions on whether to suspend UK arms export licences are largely the preserve of a very small group of cabinet ministers advised by lawyers from the Foreign Office. The role of parliament, which used to have a specialist select committee overseeing arms exports, has been downgraded.
Ministers like to give the impression that any decision is a considered examination of the evidence judged against the clear criteria that “the government will not grant a licence if it determines there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law”.
Guardian Newsroom: The unfolding crisis in the Middle East
On Tuesday 30 April, 7-8.15pm GMT, join Devika Bhat, Peter Beaumont, Emma Graham-Harrison and Ghaith Abdul-Ahad as they discuss the fast-developing crisis in the Middle East. Book tickets here or at theguardian.live
