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UK court rejects bid to halt transfer of F-35 parts to Israel
A London court has ruled the UK government’s decision to allow the export of F-35 fighter jet components to Israel during its war on Gaza is lawful.
The human rights group Al-Haq argued at a hearing last month that the decision was unlawful because it was in breach of Britain’s obligations under international law, including the Geneva Conventions.
Israel has used the jets to devastating effect in its bombardment of Gaza with tens of thousands of mostly Palestinian civilians killed.
In its claim to the High Court, rights group Al-Haq – supported by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Oxfam and other groups in its case – is seeking a court order to stop the supply of UK-made parts for the US warplanes.
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 in its war on Gaza.
But the High Court dismissed the group’s challenge in a written ruling.
The United Kingdom contributes components to an international defence programme that produces and maintains the F-35s. Defence Secretary John Healey said a suspension would impact the “whole F-35 programme” and have a “profound impact on international peace and security”.
UK justice system can go to the ICC as well. Defending war crimes, aiding genocide.
Judges rule that decision for UK to provide Israel fighter jet parts ‘not for the courts’
In a 72-page ruling, judges said the case was about a “much more focused issue” than supplying Israel military hardware in its deadly 20-month attack.
“That issue is whether it is open to the court to rule that the UK must withdraw from a specific multilateral defence collaboration, which is reasonably regarded by the responsible ministers as vital to the defence of the UK and to international peace and security, because of the prospect that some UK manufactured components will or may ultimately be supplied to Israel, and may be used in the commission of a serious violation of international humanitarian law in the conflict in Gaza,” the ruling said.
“Under our constitution that acutely sensitive and political issue is a matter for the executive, which is democratically accountable to Parliament and ultimately to the electorate, not for the courts.”
UK court’s verdict on F-35 parts: ‘Today is not the end’
Speaking outside the Royal Courts of Justice, Yasmine Ahmed, UK director of Human Rights Watch, said the judgement stood “behind the justification of national security”.
“The court today has invited parliament to now hold the executive to account, to ask questions and to ensure that the government is complying with their international obligations,” Ahmed said.
“Today is not the end. Today is the beginning of the fight we will all continue for the rights of the Palestinian people.”
