DaysofPal- A Palestinian human rights organization has launched legal action against the British government over its continued export of F-35 fighter jet components to the Israeli occupation, accusing the UK of violating international law amid the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza.
Al-Haq, a prominent legal advocacy group based in the occupied West Bank, filed a lawsuit in the UK High Court challenging the Department for Business and Trade’s decision to exempt F-35 component licenses from suspension, despite acknowledging the risk that such equipment could be used in breaches of international humanitarian law.
The case arises against the backdrop of the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023, and has since triggered a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. In September 2024, Britain suspended several arms export licenses to the Israeli occupation due to concerns about its compliance with international law, particularly regarding humanitarian access and the treatment of detainees. However, the UK government specifically excluded the F-35 components from these suspensions.
The exemption was reportedly made following pressure from the UK Ministry of Defense, which argued that halting F-35 exports would compromise international security and “undermine US confidence in the UK and NATO.”
Al-Haq’s legal team contends that this decision is unlawful and violates Britain’s obligations under the Geneva Conventions and broader international law. “Our case focuses on whether UK ministers correctly interpreted the law when deciding to continue the F-35 exports—not on whether Israeli violations in Gaza are legal or not,” said Reda Hussein, the group’s legal representative.
The British government, however, defended its stance. In court submissions, government lawyer James Eadie argued that ministers were entitled to take “extraordinary measures” to prevent what they claim would be broader implications for international peace and security. He insisted the decision was consistent with domestic and international legal standards.
This case is part of a growing international push to hold Western governments accountable for arms sales to the Israeli occupation. Last year, Al-Haq and other organizations petitioned a Dutch court to block the Netherlands from exporting weapons to the Israeli occupation and engaging in trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The High Court’s ruling could set a significant precedent regarding the limits of strategic alliances and the extent to which governments can balance national interests with their legal responsibilities under international humanitarian law.
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