But the fact remains that British companies have, for overtly political reasons, been forbidden from selling military hardware to Israel.
According to an Israeli diplomatic memo obtained by Ha’aretz, “the decision stemmed from heavy pressure by both MPs and human rights organisations.”
So where is this leading? Richard Burden, the chairman of the Britain Palestine All-Party Commons Group, wasted no time in saying that the next step should be a ban on sales to Israel via third parties, the United States in particular.
A domino effect across Europe is a real possibility. Belgium, it is widely mooted, could be next.
The bigger picture here is of an opinion- forming establishment in Britain, which has built up such an edifice of hostility to Israel that, sooner or later, their views were bound to affect the policymakers.
The battle is being lost in the public domain, and only there can a meaningful counter attack be waged.
Robin Shepherd is director of international affairs at the Henry Jackson Society.