LONDON: Britain’s decision to allow the export of F-35 fighter jet components to Israel, despite accepting they could be used in breach of international humanitarian law in Gaza, was lawful, London’s High Court ruled on Monday.
Al-Haq, a group based in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, had taken legal action against Britain’s Department for Business and Trade over its decision to exempt F-35 parts when it suspended some arms export licenses last year.
The UK had assessed that Israel was not committed to complying with international humanitarian law in Israel’s ongoing military campaign. But Britain did not suspend licenses for F-35 components, which go into a pool of spare parts that Israel can use on its existing F-35 jets.
Britain said suspending those licenses would disrupt a global program that supplies parts for the aircraft, with a knock-on impact on international security and “undermine US confidence in the UK and NATO.” Al-Haq had argued at a hearing last month that the decision was unlawful as it was in breach of Britain’s obligations under international law, including the Geneva Convention, but the High Court dismissed the group’s challenge.
