The US on Friday exempted Israel from a new set of firearms export controls designed to reduce the risk of the weapons being used to add to regional instability, human rights abuses and drug trafficking.
“Too often, firearms exports fall into the wrong hands and end up being used in ways that directly undermine US national security and foreign policy interests,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said.
On October 27, the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security issued a 90-day “pause” on the issuing of new export licences for some firearms to “assess and mitigate risk of firearms being diverted to entities or activities that promote regional instability, violate human rights, or fuel criminal activities”.
Under the new rule, the department will apply “presumption of denial” to countries deemed by the State Department to be “high risk”.
The final interim rule, which takes effect on May 30, will apply to Pakistan and 35 other countries, including many that were part of the former Soviet Union.
The State Department said the countries pose a substantial risk that could lead to the misuse or diversion of firearms exports that could harm national security and foreign policy.
“These changes will help to enhance us national security and to promote US foreign policy interests, including by advancing human rights and fostering greater regional stability,” the Commerce Department said.
Israel, Ukraine and other US allies have been excluded from the list.
The department said in October it would continue to review licence applications for exports to Israel, Ukraine and other exempted countries.
This final interim rule comes months after a group of UN experts called on the US and other countries to halt the transfer of weapons to Israel that could be used in Gaza, saying it “is likely to violate international humanitarian law”.
The Human Rights Council has also recently backed a call to halt the sale, transfer and diversion of firearms and other military equipment to Israel.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters in March that Washington has not found Israel to be in breach of humanitarian law.
The department will report to Congress in May if Israel's assurances that is has not violated international law are credible.
Canada, Spain, Japan, the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy have all suspended the shipment of weapons and other military equipment to Israel since October 7.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 2 (Heaton (og) 42', Lindelof 64')
Aston Villa 2 (Grealish 11', Mings 66')
ALL THE RESULTS
Bantamweight
Siyovush Gulmomdov (TJK) bt Rey Nacionales (PHI) by decision.
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) bt Hussein Fakhir Abed (SYR) by submission.
Catch 74kg
Omar Hussein (JOR) bt Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) by decision.
Strawweight (Female)
Seo Ye-dam (KOR) bt Weronika Zygmunt (POL) by decision.
Featherweight
Kaan Ofli (TUR) bt Walid Laidi (ALG) by TKO.
Lightweight
Abdulla Al Bousheiri (KUW) bt Leandro Martins (BRA) by TKO.
Welterweight
Ahmad Labban (LEB) bt Sofiane Benchohra (ALG) by TKO.
Bantamweight
Jaures Dea (CAM) v Nawras Abzakh (JOR) no contest.
Lightweight
Mohammed Yahya (UAE) bt Glen Ranillo (PHI) by TKO round 1.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) bt Aidan Aguilera (AUS) by TKO round 1.
Welterweight
Mounir Lazzez (TUN) bt Sasha Palatkinov (HKG) by TKO round 1.
Featherweight title bout
Romando Dy (PHI) v Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) by KO round 1.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
The bio
Date of Birth: April 25, 1993
Place of Birth: Dubai, UAE
Marital Status: Single
School: Al Sufouh in Jumeirah, Dubai
University: Emirates Airline National Cadet Programme and Hamdan University
Job Title: Pilot, First Officer
Number of hours flying in a Boeing 777: 1,200
Number of flights: Approximately 300
Hobbies: Exercising
Nicest destination: Milan, New Zealand, Seattle for shopping
Least nice destination: Kabul, but someone has to do it. It’s not scary but at least you can tick the box that you’ve been
Favourite place to visit: Dubai, there’s no place like home
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m; Winner: Gurm, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Al Nafece, Al Muatasm Al Balushi, Mohammed Ramadan
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Adrie de Vries, Ibrahim Aseel
6.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Ottoman, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7pm: Liwa Oasis – Group 2 (PA) 300,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Hakeemat Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ganbaru, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
