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Arab News
a day ago
- Business
- Arab News
UK govt under pressure from own MPs over Israeli arms exports
London: UK authorities are under pressure to halt arms exports to Israel from MPs within the governing Labour Party. Foreign Secretary David Lammy suspended around 30 arms export licenses to Israel in September, amid warnings that the weapons could be used to breach international law in Gaza, but hundreds of other licenses remain in place. During a parliamentary debate on Monday, Labour MP Steve Witherden criticized a lack of transparency on arms exports to Israel, and asked the government to explain what criteria would be needed to enact a broader ban. He highlighted the UK's role in the manufacture and export of parts for the F-35 fighter jet, which is used by the Israeli military. Palestinian rights group Al-Haq has previously said the export license for F-35 parts creates a 'carve-out' that gives 'rise to a significant risk of facilitating crime' by the Israeli military. Witherden said: 'The foreign secretary's recent condemnation of Israel's action as 'monstrous' was welcome but incomplete, for my very same government continues to facilitate such actions. 'We can't have it both ways. We can't condemn atrocity whilst simultaneously fueling the machinery that enables it. We can't claim to uphold international law while profiting from its breach.' He added: 'It's the government's position that the need to continue to supply F-35 components outweighs the risk of genocide and, if so, is there any circumstance that would lead to the UK stopping that supply? 'The government has claimed that there are red lines that would trigger a halt to exports, but Gaza is already a slaughterhouse.' Witherden continued: 'Children are emaciated or dying of hunger. Hospitals have been intentionally destroyed. Israel's leaders vow to wipe out Gaza and still the weapons flow.' He added: 'I call on this government to suspend all arms exports to Israel to ensure that no British-made weapons are used in Israel's brutal plans to annexe, starve and ethnically cleanse the Palestinian population.' Trade Minister Douglas Alexander responded that UK rules prevent sales of F-35 components directly to Israel, but that as part of a global supply network, there are limits on what the UK could do to prevent parts reaching the country. 'Undermining the F-35 program at this juncture would, in the view of the government, disrupt international peace and security, NATO deterrence and European defense as a whole,' Alexander said, adding that he believes Israel's actions in responding to the 'act of barbarism' by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, have been 'disproportionate' and 'counterproductive to any lasting peace settlement.' He reminded MPs of the government's decision to suspend arms licenses shortly after taking office last year. 'This measure is still in place and I'd like to reiterate that, based on our current assessment of potential breaches of international humanitarian law, we aren't licensing military equipment provided directly to the (Israeli military) that could be used for military operations in Gaza,' he told the House of Commons. 'It's right to acknowledge that our export licenses granted in relation to Israel cover a wider remit than simply those items that may be used in Gaza. 'There are a relatively small number of licenses for the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) relating to equipment which we assess wouldn't be used in the current conflict including, for example, parts of air defense systems that defend Israel from acts such as the major aerial attack from Iran in April 2024. 'We also think it's right for us to continue providing military-grade body armor used by non-governmental organizations and journalists, and to provide parts to the supply chain which are ultimately re-exported back out of Israel to support the defense of our NATO allies.'
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
British-made weapons must not be used to ‘ethnically cleanse' Palestinians, MP tells government
The government is facing renewed calls to suspend all arms exports to Israel as an MP warns of the risk that British-made weapons are being used to 'ethnically cleanse' Palestinians. Labour MP Steve Witherden described Gaza as "already a slaughterhouse," during a parliamentary debate, imploring ministers to outline the specific conditions that would trigger a halt to further exports. Mr Witherden also highlighted the lack of transparency surrounding the true extent of UK military exports to Israel, particularly regarding the supply of components for the F-35 fighter jet programme. In response, Business minister Douglas Alexander clarified that the UK Government does not directly sell F-35 components to Israeli authorities, and that export licenses prohibit direct shipments to Israel for use within the country. He added that the UK's exports of spare F-35 parts are integrated into a global supply network, where exporters have limited oversight of the ultimate end-users. In September last year, Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the suspension of around 30 arms sale licences to Israel amid concerns a 'clear risk' exists that they could be used to breach international humanitarian law. The Government said exports to the global F-35 programme would be excluded from the suspension decision, except where going directly to Israel, to avoid 'prejudicing the entire' scheme. Al-Haq, a Palestinian human rights organisation, which has brought a legal action against the Department for Business and Trade over its decisions, said the 'carve-out' gives 'rise to a significant risk of facilitating crime'. Mr Witherden, leading an adjournment debate on arms and military cargo export controls and Israel, told the Commons: 'The Foreign Secretary's recent condemnation of Israel's action as 'monstrous' was welcome but incomplete for my very same Government continues to facilitate such actions. 'We cannot have it both ways. We cannot condemn atrocity whilst simultaneously fuelling the machinery that enables it. We cannot claim to uphold international law while profiting from its breach.' Mr Witherden raised several issues, including asking the Government to explain how it defines 'defensive' weapons and what makes an F-35 component compatible with this definition. He said: 'It's the Government's position that the need to continue to supply F-35 components outweighs the risk of genocide and, if so, is there any circumstance that would lead to the UK stopping that supply? 'The Government has claimed that there are red lines that would trigger a halt to exports, but Gaza is already a slaughterhouse. 'Children are emaciated or dying of hunger. Hospitals have been intentionally destroyed. Israel's leaders vow to wipe out Gaza and still the weapons flow. 'So finally I ask the minister where is our red line? I call on this Government to suspend all arms exports to Israel to ensure that no British-made weapons are used in Israel's brutal plans to annexe, starve and ethnically cleanse the Palestinian population. 'The credibility of this House depends not just on what we condemn but on what we enable and history will remember we enabled too much.' Mr Alexander began by condemning the 'act of barbarism' by Hamas in Israel on October 7 2023, which killed around 1,200 people, before he warned that Israel's operations have been 'indefensible', 'disproportionate' and 'counterproductive to any lasting peace settlement'. The minister reiterated that the UK Government in September last year suspended arms exports licences for items to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) that could be used in military operations in Gaza. He said: 'This measure is still in place and I'd like to reiterate that based on our current assessment of potential breaches of international humanitarian law, we are not licencing military equipment provided directly to the IDF that could be used for military operations in Gaza. 'It is right to acknowledge that our export licences granted in relation to Israel cover a wider remit than simply those items that may be used in Gaza. 'There are a relatively small number of licences for the IDF relating to equipment which we assess would not be used in the current conflict, including – for example – parts of air defence systems that defend Israel from acts such as the major aerial attack from Iran in April 2024. 'We also think it is right for us to continue providing military grade body armour used by non-governmental organisations and journalists and to provide parts to the supply chain which are ultimately re-exported back out of Israel to support the defence of our Nato allies.' Mr Alexander also said: 'Undermining the F-35 programme at this juncture would, in the view of the Government, disrupt international peace and security, Nato deterrence and European defence as a whole. 'In relation to components for the F-35 aircraft, our exporters provide these to a global spares pool and the common production line for new aircraft where they have no sight and no control over the specific ultimate end users for their export. 'Put plainly, it is not possible to suspend licencing of F-35 components for use by one F-35 nation without ceasing supply to the entire global F-35 programme. It was therefore judged necessary by the Government to exclude F-35 components from the scope of the suspension. 'But let me be very clear, the UK Government is not selling F-35 components directly to the Israeli authorities and the licence that allows the export of F-35 components was amended in September to specifically make clear that direct shipments for Israel for use in Israel are not permitted.'
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Ensure no UK-made weapons used to ‘ethnically cleanse' Palestinians, MP urges
The UK Government must suspend all arms exports to Israel to remove the risk of British-made weapons being used to 'ethnically cleanse' Palestinians, the Commons has heard. Labour MP Steve Witherden said Gaza is 'already a slaughterhouse' as he urged ministers to detail their 'red line' which would halt further exports. The MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr added the 'true scale' of UK military exports to Israel 'remains unknown and unaccountable' before raising questions over the supply of 'crucial' components to Israel connected to the F-35 fighter jet programme. Business minister Douglas Alexander said the UK Government is not selling F-35 components 'directly to the Israeli authorities' and the export licence prevents 'direct shipments for Israel for use in Israel'. MPs were told the UK's exports of spare F-35 parts are part of a global supply network and exporters have 'no sight and no control over the specific ultimate end users for their export'. In September last year, Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the suspension of around 30 arms sale licences to Israel amid concerns a 'clear risk' exists that they could be used to breach international humanitarian law. The Government said exports to the global F-35 programme would be excluded from the suspension decision, except where going directly to Israel, to avoid 'prejudicing the entire' scheme. Al-Haq, a Palestinian human rights organisation, which has brought a legal action against the Department for Business and Trade over its decisions, said the 'carve-out' gives 'rise to a significant risk of facilitating crime'. Mr Witherden, leading an adjournment debate on arms and military cargo export controls and Israel, told the Commons: 'The Foreign Secretary's recent condemnation of Israel's action as 'monstrous' was welcome but incomplete for my very same Government continues to facilitate such actions. 'We cannot have it both ways. We cannot condemn atrocity whilst simultaneously fuelling the machinery that enables it. We cannot claim to uphold international law while profiting from its breach.' Mr Witherden raised several issues, including asking the Government to explain how it defines 'defensive' weapons and what makes an F-35 component compatible with this definition. He said: 'It's the Government's position that the need to continue to supply F-35 components outweighs the risk of genocide and, if so, is there any circumstance that would lead to the UK stopping that supply? 'The Government has claimed that there are red lines that would trigger a halt to exports, but Gaza is already a slaughterhouse. 'Children are emaciated or dying of hunger. Hospitals have been intentionally destroyed. Israel's leaders vow to wipe out Gaza and still the weapons flow. 'So finally I ask the minister where is our red line? I call on this Government to suspend all arms exports to Israel to ensure that no British-made weapons are used in Israel's brutal plans to annexe, starve and ethnically cleanse the Palestinian population. 'The credibility of this House depends not just on what we condemn but on what we enable and history will remember we enabled too much.' Mr Alexander began by condemning the 'act of barbarism' by Hamas in Israel on October 7 2023, which killed around 1,200 people, before he warned that Israel's operations have been 'indefensible', 'disproportionate' and 'counterproductive to any lasting peace settlement'. The minister reiterated that the UK Government in September last year suspended arms exports licences for items to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) that could be used in military operations in Gaza. He said: 'This measure is still in place and I'd like to reiterate that based on our current assessment of potential breaches of international humanitarian law, we are not licencing military equipment provided directly to the IDF that could be used for military operations in Gaza. 'It is right to acknowledge that our export licences granted in relation to Israel cover a wider remit than simply those items that may be used in Gaza. 'There are a relatively small number of licences for the IDF relating to equipment which we assess would not be used in the current conflict, including – for example – parts of air defence systems that defend Israel from acts such as the major aerial attack from Iran in April 2024. 'We also think it is right for us to continue providing military grade body armour used by non-governmental organisations and journalists and to provide parts to the supply chain which are ultimately re-exported back out of Israel to support the defence of our Nato allies.' Mr Alexander also said: 'Undermining the F-35 programme at this juncture would, in the view of the Government, disrupt international peace and security, Nato deterrence and European defence as a whole. 'In relation to components for the F-35 aircraft, our exporters provide these to a global spares pool and the common production line for new aircraft where they have no sight and no control over the specific ultimate end users for their export. 'Put plainly, it is not possible to suspend licencing of F-35 components for use by one F-35 nation without ceasing supply to the entire global F-35 programme. It was therefore judged necessary by the Government to exclude F-35 components from the scope of the suspension. 'But let me be very clear, the UK Government is not selling F-35 components directly to the Israeli authorities and the licence that allows the export of F-35 components was amended in September to specifically make clear that direct shipments for Israel for use in Israel are not permitted.'
Free Malaysia Today
19-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
UK govt defends supplying fighter jet parts to Israel
NGO data showed the UK approved £127.6 million in military equipment to Israel from October to December 2024, surpassing 2020-2023 totals. (EPA Images pic) LONDON : The UK government Thursday defended supplying fighter jet parts to Israel amid the war in Gaza, telling a London court that suspending exports would compromise Britain's security and damage relations with Israel and allies. Rights groups took the government to the High Court this week, accusing it of breaking international law by allowing the export of advanced Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth jet components. Supported by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Oxfam and others, the Palestinian rights association Al-Haq is seeking a court order to stop the supply of UK-made parts for the US warplanes, which Israel has used to devastating effect in Gaza and the West Bank. Earlier this week, lawyers for Al-Haq said the government had known there was a 'clear risk' Israel would use the jet parts to commit violations of international law. But government lawyer James Eadie said Thursday the UK's trade department had acted lawfully and that suspending the export licences would have affected a wider international F-35 programme, resulting in 'extremely serious risks to the UK and international security'. He added the court was not placed to rule on the legality of Israel's actions, and that attempting to do so could have a 'potentially deleterious' effect on 'foreign relations with a friendly state, namely Israel'. He also said the government had taken decisions about suspending arms licences with its relationship with Israel in mind, seeking to 'make sure relations continued to be cordial'. In September 2024, the new Labour government announced it was suspending around 30 of 350 export licences following a review of Israel's compliance with international humanitarian law. But the partial ban did not cover British-made F-35 parts. The refuelling probe, laser targeting system, tyres and ejector seat are among the components made in Britain, according to Oxfam. Britain's defence secretary has previously said suspending F-35 licences would 'undermine US confidence in the UK and Nato', and would not be possible without 'wide impacts to the whole F-35 programme'. But lawyers for Al-Haq have described the F-35 exemption as a 'loophole' allowing the components to reach Israel through a global pooling system. In a separate statement, UK-based NGO Campaign Against Arms Trade said licensing figures showed the government had made a 'shocking increase in military exports to Israel' in the months after its September 2024 announcement of partial suspensions. It said the figures showed the UK approved £127.6 million (US$170 million) in military equipment to Israel in single-issue licences from October to December 2024, saying this was more than for the period from 2020 to 2023 combined. Most of the licences were for military radars, components and software, as well as targeting equipment, according to the NGO, which was involved in the case against the government. It is not certain when a decision could be made after the four-day hearing, which ends on Friday and marks the latest stage in a long-running legal battle.
The Guardian
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
No evidence of genocide in Gaza, UK lawyers say in arms export case
No evidence has been seen that a genocide is occurring in Gaza or that women and children were targeted by the IDF, UK government lawyers have claimed, as a high court case opened into the handling of arms exports controls to Israel. They also suggested there was no obligation placed on the UK to make other states comply with international humanitarian law but only to ensure that no breach occured within its jurisdiction. The government is seeking to defend itself in a judicial review brought over allegations that it acted unlawfully in continuing to sell F-35 parts and components to a global pool, even though some of those components might be used by Israel in Gaza in a way that the government regards as a breach of international law. Much of the case will turn on the extent to which international law places obligations in domestic law. At the start of a four-day hearing at the high court in London, Raza Husain KC, for the Palestinian rights organisation Al-Haq, said: 'This claim is being heard against the backdrop of human calamity unfolding in Gaza, the extremity of which is difficult to convey in words.' In September the Labour government suspended most relevant arms export licences for use in Israel but gave a carve out to the F-35 programme, saying international peace and security required that it was not disrupted. The battle to prevent Russia occupying Ukraine could have been affected in weeks without the carve out as the F-35 is a central pillar of Nato, the government has told the court. It said the only practical way to prevent UK-manufactured F-35 components reaching Israel was to suspend all UK exports into the F-35 programme, a step that would incur serious risks to international peace and security. 'The likelihood of UK-manufactured components being used in existing Israeli planes is very small, while the IDF is one of the most significant and well-equipped militaries in the world and therefore the impact of suspending F-35 components on operations in Gaza is likely to be minimal,' the government lawyers said. The judicial review has been mounted by Al-Haq, the Global Legal Action Network, and has been joined by Amnesty, Oxfam and Human Rights Watch. The hearing has taken nearly a year to reach court, as the government argued its decisions were not justiciable. Lawyers for Al-Haq argued the F-35 carve out was not 'consistent with the UK's domestic and international legal obligations', including the Geneva conventions, Genocide Convention and Arms Control Treaty. But the government's lawyers argued that UK courts cannot second guess government decisions in matters of foreign policy. It also cited an annex sent to ministers in August last year that concluded: 'a finding that Israel is not committed to comply with International Humanitarian Law does not necessarily indicate that it is harbouring genocidal intent. 'There have been a range of positive statements and some negative statements from specific actors; however, their remarks are not assessed to be representative of the Israeli government overall. 'No evidence has been seen that Israel is deliberately targeting civilian women or children. There is also evidence of Israel making efforts to limit incidental harm to civilians.' Government lawyers also stressed that the international court of justice last year had not found there was a plausible risk of a genocide occurring. The government argues no violation of the duty to prevent such a genocide 'can occur unless and until there is actually a genocide'. Yet Husain told the court that 'on the first of this month, at least 1.9 million people, or about 90% of the population, have been displaced on 10 times or more. 'On 7 May the UN Office for the Coordination of human affairs reported that every single one of Gaza hospitals has been damaged or destroyed and, as of this month, only half were partially functional. 'Official reporting from the ministry of health, cited by UN agencies indicated that between 23 October and 25 April over 50,000 Palestinians to be killed, including at least 15,000 children and a further 214,000 injured.' He said: 'These acts of annihilation have been accompanied by persistent genocidal, dehumanising and even celebratory statements made at all levels of the Israeli military and political structure, including such figures, I regret to say, as the prime minister, president, minister of defence, minister of national security and minister of finance.' The hearing before Lord Justice Males and Mrs Justice Steyn is due to conclude on Friday, and a decision is expected in writing at a later date.
