Gaza war: Is the UK selling arms to Israel?
Does the UK supply Israel with arms?
The UK is not one of Israel's main suppliers of arms. The US is by far the biggest seller - helping Israel develop one of the world's most advanced militaries - followed by Germany and Italy.Since 2015, the UK has approved arms export licences to Israel worth over £500m ($676.4m) - peaking in 2018, according to Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) pressure group.However, much of the attention around the UK's support for Israel has focussed on parts made in Britain for the F-35 jet. A state-of-the-art multi-role fighter, it has been used extensively by Israel to strike Gaza.The UK supplies between 13-15% of the components used in the jet, including ejector seats, rear fuselage, active interceptor systems, targeting lasers and weapon release cables.After the Labour Party came to power last year, it suspended 30 out of 350 arms export licences, affecting equipment such as parts for fighter jets, helicopters and drones. Any UK company that wants to sell arms abroad must apply for a licence, and the government said at the time that there was a "clear risk" the equipment could be used to commit serious violations of international law.But crucially, parts for the F-35 were not included in the export ban. The government said it could not prevent Israel obtaining these components as they are sent to manufacturing centres abroad as part of a global programme - not directly to Israel.
Professor Anna Stavrianakis, an expert in UK Arms Export, described the government's decision to allow for this exemption as "an enormous loophole"."UK-made parts for the F-35 mostly go to the USA, where they are incorporated into jets bound for Israel," she told BBC Verify, noting that because the White House "does not want to stop supporting Israel", the UK export bans were quite limited in their effectiveness.The UK also co-developed the Hermes drone, which has been widely used in Gaza. While the UK version of the aircraft, called the Watchkeeper 450, is unarmed, the Israeli-made Hermes drone can be armed with Spike missiles and was reportedly used in the attack that killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers last year.It is hard to say what the UK is still exporting to Israel under the active licences. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said last year that the ban was not a "blanket ban or an arms embargo" and said it remained essential that Israel could defend itself from attack.According to the Department of Business and Trade, 161 of the extant licences relate to military products.A UK Parliament report said that the remaining licences could include "items such as trainer aircraft and naval equipment, and dual-use items for civilian use in telecoms and data equipment".
Has the UK shared intelligence with Israel?
The extent to which the UK has shared intelligence with Israel since the 7 October attacks is unclear. The government has a long-standing "defence partnership with Israel" which defence officials say includes "education, joint training and capability development".The Royal Air Force (RAF) has flown hundreds of surveillance flights over Gaza since December 2023, reportedly using Shadow R1 spy planes based at an RAF base in Akrotiri in nearby Cyprus.In an interview on Monday, Lammy insisted that the RAF flights over Gaza have not led to the sharing of any military intelligence with the IDF."It would be quite wrong for the British government to assist in the prosecution of this war in Gaza," the foreign secretary said. "We are not doing that."
In 2023 the UK acknowledged that some of its "unarmed" drones circling over the strip were aiding in the search for Israeli hostages taken by Hamas during the 7 October attacks. There are 50 people still held by Hamas, with 20 believed to be alive.Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard reaffirmed that stance in April 2025, telling MPs that UK drone flights over Gaza were being conducted with the "sole purpose of locating hostages".The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has refused to comment on whether Israeli aircraft have access to the RAF's base in Cyprus. But BBC Verify also identified Israeli Air Force planes in UK airspace over the past year after reports in the independent outlet DropSite. Several Re'em refuelling planes appeared on specialised flight tracking sites over RAF bases at Brize Norton and Fairford.An MoD spokesperson told BBC Verify: "It is standard practice to routinely authorise requests for limited numbers of allies and partners to access the UK's air bases.""We cannot comment on or provide information relating to foreign nations' military aircraft movements or operations," the spokesperson added.
Are Israeli troops training in the UK?
The UK often runs training courses for the militaries of allied nations, many of which focus on leadership, logistics and cyber-operations. For example, thousands of Ukrainian troops have come to Britain since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022 for basic training.Lord Coaker - a minister of state at the UK MoD - said in April that "fewer than 10" IDF personnel have been trained on non-combat military academic courses in the UK every year since 2020.He declined to say exactly how many IDF troops had taken part in courses over that time, or what classes they had taken "in order to protect personal information". But ministers have insisted that the courses emphasise the importance of complying with international humanitarian law.Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard confirmed in June that "a limited number of Israel Defense Forces personnel" were taking part in UK-based training courses, but declined to offer further details.
Has the UK sanctioned Israel for its actions in Gaza?
The UK's approach to holding Israel accountable for its campaign in Gaza changed after the general election in 2024. The new Labour government dropped the government's opposition to arrest warrants issued for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant by the International Criminal Court (ICC).Since then, it has become more vocal in its criticism of Israeli leaders, and joined 27 other nations this week in condemning the "inhumane killing of civilians" seeking food and water in Gaza.And the Labour government suspended talks to upgrade its free trade agreement with Israel in May, with Lammy calling the Israeli treatment of Palestinians "an affront to the values of the British people".But while the government has sanctioned two far-right Israeli ministers for "inciting violence" in the occupied West Bank, it has yet to impose any sanctions on Israel directly for its actions in Gaza, which have killed at least 59,029 people according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
What do you want BBC Verify to investigate?
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
13 minutes ago
- BBC News
Rayner asks China to explain redacted mega-embassy plans
Angela Rayner has given China two weeks to explain why parts of its plans for a new mega-embassy in London are deputy prime minister's Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government sent a letter asking for further information and requested a response by 20 August, the BBC understands. Beijing's plans for the new embassy have sparked fears its location - very near London's financial district - could pose an espionage risk. Residents nearby also fear it would pose a security risk to them and attract large protests. The BBC has contacted the Chinese embassy in London for comment. A final planning decision on the controversial plans will be made by 9 September, the BBC a letter seen by the PA news agency, Rayner, who as housing secretary is responsible for overseeing planning matters, asks planning consultants representing the Chinese embassy to explain why drawings of the planned site are blacked Home Office and the Foreign Office also received copies of the notes that the Home Office requested a new "hard perimeter" be placed around the embassy site, to prevent "unregulated public access", and says this could require a further planning are concerns, held by some opponents, that the Royal Mint Court site could allow China to infiltrate the UK's financial system by tapping into fibre optic cables carrying sensitive data for firms in the City of campaigners from Hong Kong also fear Beijing could use the huge embassy to harass political opponents and even detain them. Last month, the UK condemned cash offers from Hong Kong authorities for people who help in the arrest of pro-democracy activists living in Britain. Alicia Kearns, the shadow national security minister, said: "No surprises here - Labour's rush to appease Xi Jinping's demands for a new embassy demonstrated a complacency when it came to keeping our people safe. Having deluded themselves for so long, they've recognised we were right to be vigilant."Responding to security concerns earlier this week, the Chinese embassy told the BBC it was "committed to promoting understanding and the friendship between the Chinese and British peoples and the development of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. Building the new embassy would help us better perform such responsibilities".China bought the old Royal Mint Court for £255m in 2018. At 20,000 square metres, the complex will be the biggest embassy in Europe if it goes plan involves a cultural centre and housing for 200 staff, but in the basement, behind security doors, there are also rooms with no identified use on the application for the embassy had previously been rejected by Tower Hamlets Council in 2022 over safety and security concerns. It resubmitted an identical application in August 2024, one month after Labour came to power. On 23 August, Sir Keir Starmer phoned Chinese President Xi Jinping for their first talks. Sir Keir confirmed afterwards that Xi had raised the embassy has since exercised her power to take the matter out of the council's hands amid attempts by the government to engage with China after a cooling of relations during the final years of Conservative Party ministers have signalled they are in favour if minor adjustments are made to the plan.
Daily Mail
13 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Labour's homelessness minister 'threw out FOUR tenants then raised rent on her London home by £700'
Labour 's homelessness minister has been accused of 'extreme hypocrisy' after she allegedly threw out her own tenants and then raised rent by £700 a month. Landlord MP Rushanara Ali told tenants their lease would not be renewed and gave them four months' notice to get out of the £3,300-a-month property, a renter has claimed. But just four months after the group's departure, the four-bedroom townhouse, less than a mile from London 's Olympic Park, was reportedly back on the market - only this time for £4,000 per month. A source close to Ms Ali insisted the tenants were offered the chance to stay on a rolling contract prior to the house being put up for sale, after they were told the tenancy would not be renewed. They added the property was relisted only after Ms Ali did not find a buyer, the i Paper reports. But Laura Jackson, a self-employed restaurant owner and one of renters in the property, had a different view. Ms Jackson, 33, claimed she had received an email in November telling her the lease would not be renewed - and that she and the other occupiers had four months to leave. Only weeks later she saw the property back up for sale at the higher price of £700. The i said the new tenants confirmed they had moved in 'four or five months ago' and were paying the higher figure. Ms Jackson said: 'It's an absolute joke. Trying to get that much money from renters is extortion.' It comes as Labour's renters' Rights Bill, set to become law next year, prohibits landlords from relisting a property with higher rent until at least six months after tenants have moved out - where they have ended a tenancy in order to sell a property. Ms Ali has also previously spoken out against 'private renters being exploited' and insisted her Government will 'empower people to challenge unreasonable rent increases'. But Conservative shadow Housing Secretary, James Cleverly, said Ms Ali ought to consider her position as the allegations 'would be an example of the most extreme hypocrisy and she should not have the job as homelessness minister'. The property had been managed on behalf of the Bethnal Green and Stepney MP by two lettings agencies - Jack Barclay Estates and Avenue Lettings. At the time the tenants' contract ended, the firms also attempted to charge the tenants nearly £2,000 for the house to be repainted and £395 for professional cleaning. Landlords are prohibited from charging tenants for professional cleaning or to repaint a home under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, unless there has been serious damage. Minor scratches or scuffs to paint work all come under the umbrella of 'reasonable wear and tear', according to the Act. Ms Jackson described the experience as 'really stressful' and claimed the property was 'not clean when [they] moved in'. But mysteriously, the charges were dropped when Ms Jackson told the agencies she was aware their landlord was a Labour MP. She said: 'If we hadn't known the charges were unlawful, we would have had to pay them. It's exploitative.' Ms Jackson, a Labour voter, added she believed it to be 'morally wrong' that MPs can be landlords, in particular in their own areas, and dubbed it a conflict of interest. It is understood Ms Ali ensured the cleaning and repainting charges were dropped when she was told about them by her agency. The property is currently listed for sale at £894,995 - more than £300,000 what Ms Ali paid for it in 2014, according to the Land Registry. It was originally put up for sale at £914,995 last November before the price was reduced in February. The rental property is one of two owned by Ms Ali, according to the MP's register of interests. Ms Ali has served as Labour's minister for homelessness since the party's election win in July 2024. The Government previously said the end of a private rental contract is 'one of the leading causes of homelessness'. Ms Ali sung the praises of the Renters Rights' Bill in March as she said it would 'tackle the root cause of homelessness'. Under the bill, which is currently passing through Parliament, landlords may only ask tenants to leave if there has been antisocial behaviour or if they need to sell the property, or if the landlord or a family member needs to move in. Fixed-term tenancies are also set to be banned under the new legislation. Ben Twomey, the chief executive of Generation Rent, called the allegations 'shocking a wake-up call'.
Daily Mail
43 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Teacher sacked and branded 'Islamophobic' after he was reported over a Facebook post criticising Lucy Connolly's prison sentence says he has lost everything after the 'witch hunt'
A teacher who was fired after a Facebook post in which he criticised Lucy Connolly's jail sentence says he has lost everything following a 'witch hunt'. Simon Pearson has spoken out after being branded Islamophobic following his social media message about the imprisoned wife of a former Conservative councillor. Mr Pearson, a former employee of Preston College, was subject to an internal investigation following his comment that Connolly 'should not have been jailed' - after two Facebook contacts reported him. Connolly, 42, was given a 31-month sentence last October after pleading guilty to a charge of inciting racial hatred. She had written on social media following last summer's Southport-related riots: 'Mass deportation now, set fire to all the f****** hotels full of the b******* for all I care... if that makes me racist so be it.' In his online comment, Mr Pearson described Connolly's words as 'obviously wrong', but said he believed her prison sentence was a 'two-tier policy from the top down'. An internal investigation was launched following a complaint submitted by a Muslim representative of the National Education Union (NEU) at the school who alleged that the post was 'Islamophobic' and 'racially discriminatory'. Mr Pearson has said he apologised and also claimed to have provided evidence of his support for both Muslim students and asylum seekers. Pictured: Mr Pearson's Facebook post criticising her jail term that eventually resulted in his dismissal. Preston College's investigation deemed the post a violation of its policies He has now been speaking about the impact of the furore on him while defending his previously 'spotless' record as a teacher. He told the Daily Mail: 'I was blindsided. Someone reported my private posts without a word to me. 'It felt like being snitched on in the dark - no conversation, no context, just condemnation. 'Twenty years of dedicated service, a spotless record, and deep care for every student - including many Muslim pupils I've supported and mentored - was wiped away. 'The accusation of "Islamophobia" became a label that no amount of truth could peel off. 'It was like living through a witch hunt. Once the accusation was made, the process felt less like an investigation and more like a verdict already written.' The college's investigation deemed the posts a violation of its policies, damaging of professional relationships and likely to bring the college's reputation into disrepute. Mr Pearson previously said he had been left 'appalled' by the decision, particularly given his long-standing commitment to helping support and educate students 'from all walks of life'. He has now added: 'I spoke out about real concerns, about the Manchester Airport attack, Southport, and the Lucy Connolly case. 'These are matters of public safety and justice. If we silence the freedom to express concern and ask questions, we're in serious trouble as a society. 'I've lost my livelihood, my reputation, and my peace of mind - not because I did something wrong, but because I dared to speak. 'If a teacher with a 20-year unblemished record can be sacked for expressing valid concerns shared by millions in their own time, then none of us are safe and something has to change so that no one else has to go through what I have.' Mr Pearso has now launched legal action at an employment tribunal, claiming wrongful dismissal, unfair dismissal, harassment and discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. Lord Young of Acton, founder of the Free Speech Union, told the Daily Mail he was 'shocked' by the decision to sack Mr Pearson. He accused the National Education Union of 'siding with the bosses rather than the workers when it comes to breaches of workplace speech codes'. The NEU said in a statement: 'The management of Preston College reached a decision to dismiss the teacher following disciplinary procedures. 'The NEU was not directly involved in these processes and it will be for the Employment Tribunal to consider the fairness of the dismissal if and when the claim reaches a hearing.' Preston College said: 'Upon receipt of complaints from a number of our staff, an internal investigation was undertaken into whether some of Mr Pearson's social media posts were a breach of the College's Staff Behaviour Code and Values. 'Following an investigation and subsequent disciplinary process, Mr Pearson was dismissed from his employment at the College.' It comes after former childminder Connolly, of Northampton, was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court in October and imprisoned at HMP Drake Hall, Staffordshire, after admitting to making her 'racist' post on X, formerly known as Twitter. With about 9,000 followers on X at the time, her message was reposted 940 times and viewed 310,000 times before she deleted it around three and a half hours later. The mother-of-one was arrested on August 6 last year, by which point she had deleted her social media account. But other messages which included other condemning remarks were uncovered by officers who seized her phone. Her X post was made just hours after killer Axel Rudakubana murdered three young girls and attempted to murder 10 others at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29 last year, sparking nationwide unrest. A number of public figures and politicians have spoken out since Connolly was handed her sentence, claiming that she is a victim of 'two-tier justice'. Connolly lost an appeal in May this year to shorten her 31-month sentence despite telling the Court of Appeal in London she 'never' intended to incite violence and did not realise that pleading guilty would mean accepting she had. Connolly's husband, Raymond, a former West Northamptonshire Conservative councillor, said on the day she lost her appeal: 'Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood says she will release 40,000 prisoners, some of them dangerous men on tag. 'Lucy has not been allowed out on tag and she has been denied leave to see our child who is struggling. 'The court had the opportunity to reduce her cruelly long and disproportionate sentence, but they refused. That feels like two-tier justice.' The Daily Mail revealed this week how Connolly is set for release soon, with a friend sharing a post to X saying she believed the convict would be 'with a glass of Whispering Angel in-hand' this time next month. It is understood Connolly will be freed on August 21.
