UK Parliament Raises Concerns Over Exemption of F-35 Components from Suspended Arms Exports to Israel

Strategic Insights -

UK Parliament's International Development Committee has expressed concerns that the Government's exemption of F-35 components from suspended arms exports to Israel may be incompatible with international law. The Committee's Chair, Sarah Champion, has raised several questions regarding the decision, citing the UK's legal obligations under the Arms Trade Treaty, the Genocide Convention, and the Geneva Conventions. The move comes amid ongoing judicial review of the Government's decision, following a challenge by Palestinian human rights organisation Al-Haq.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK Government suspended 30 arms export licenses to Israel in September, citing a "clear risk" that certain exports might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
  • However, the Government continued to allow the export of components used in F-35 planes, which are transferred indirectly from the UK to Israel through a global programme.
  • The International Development Committee has called for the Government to address the lack of a legal requirement for companies to stop exporting arms in scenarios where there is a risk of attacks on aid workers.
  • The Committee's Chair, Sarah Champion, has raised concerns that the exemption of F-35 components may be incompatible with Article 7 of the Arms Trade Treaty, which requires states to perform a risk assessment of each of the factors listed.
  • The Chair has asked several questions of the Government, including whether they accept that there are substantial grounds to believe that the F-35 components would be used in the commission of serious crimes and what legal authority they rely upon to support their position.
  • The Government has been asked to respond to the letter by 11 July.

Statistics:

  • 30 arms export licenses were suspended by the UK Government in September.
  • The suspended licenses were related to exports that might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
  • The Government has continued to allow the export of F-35 components.
  • The International Development Committee's report published earlier this year highlighted the lack of a legal requirement for companies to stop exporting arms in scenarios where there is a risk of attacks on aid workers.

Sources:

  • A letter from the Chair of the International Development Committee, Sarah Champion, to the Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, published today.
  • A report published earlier this year by the International Development Committee.
  • A challenge by Palestinian human rights organisation Al-Haq against the Government's decision, currently subject to judicial review.