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3mo ago

UK High Court Reviews Legality of F-35 Component Exports to Israel

The judicial review examines whether the UK government's exemption of F-35 parts from arms export suspensions breaches international law.

FILE - A Royal Air Force F-35 lands at the Farnborough International Air Show in Farnborough, England, on July 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali, File)
Protesters demonstrate outside the Royal Courts of Justice ahead of a legal challenge brought by the Palestinian NGO Al-Haq over Britain's exports of parts for F-35 fighter jets to Israel, amid its conflict with Hamas, in London, Britain, November 18, 2024. REUTERS/Sam Tobin/File Photo
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Overview

  • The UK High Court has begun a four-day hearing to assess the legality of continuing exports of F-35 components to Israel, following accusations of international law violations.
  • Palestinian rights group Al-Haq, supported by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Oxfam, argues that the exports facilitate potential war crimes in Gaza.
  • The UK government defends the exemption, citing the strategic importance of the global F-35 programme for NATO and international security.
  • Approximately 15% of F-35 fighter jet components, including critical systems, are manufactured in the UK and supplied through a global pooling system.
  • The hearing follows the September 2024 suspension of 30 arms export licences to Israel, which excluded F-35 components despite concerns over violations of humanitarian law.