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Human rights

"Live-Streamed Genocide": High Court Hears Al-Haq's Challenge Against UK's Israeli Arms Deals

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The High Court in London is hearing a legal challenge by Al-Haq, a Palestinian human rights organization, against the UK Government's decision to allow the export of components for F-35 fighter jets to Israel, despite a suspension of licenses for arms exports due to Israel's non-compliance with international humanitarian law in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Al-Haq's lawyers claim that the UK Government misunderstood international law when allowing the "carve-out" for the F-35 components, which they argue puts the UK at risk of facilitating a crime.

Key Takeaways:

  • The High Court hearing is part of Al-Haq's legal challenge against the UK Government's decision to allow the export of F-35 components to Israel, despite a suspension of licenses for arms exports.
  • Lawyers for Al-Haq claim that the UK Government misunderstood international law when allowing the "carve-out" for the F-35 components, which puts the UK at risk of facilitating a crime.
  • Around 55,000 Palestinians have been killed between October 2023 and April this year in the conflict in Gaza, according to Al-Haq's lawyers.
  • The barrister Raza Husain KC said that the UK Government failed to properly assess whether the continued export of F-35 parts was compliant with part of the Geneva Conventions.
  • The F-35 programme is an international defense program that produces and maintains the fighter jets, with the UK contributing components for both assembly lines and an international pool.
  • Charities Oxfam, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch are intervening in the case, with Oxfam expected to make submissions on Wednesday.
  • The hearing is due to conclude on Friday with a decision expected in writing at a later date.

Statistics:

  • Around 55,000 Palestinians have been killed between October 2023 and April this year in the conflict in Gaza.
  • The population of Gaza is approximately 2.2 million people, roughly the same size as the Isle of Wight.
  • The F-35 program is an international defense program that involves multiple countries and contributes to international peace and security.

Sources:

  • Al-Haq
  • High Court of London
  • The Guardian
  • Al Jazeera
  • BBC News

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