The United Kingdom’s military collaboration with Israel during its assault on Gaza, as well as its support through arms provisions, logistical aid, and direct military interventions in Yemen to support Israel’s objectives, could constitute a breach of international law, a new report reveals.
The British Palestinian Committee (BPC) reported that the UK government “played an influential role” through the validation of arms licenses and a wider, more extensive military collaboration with Israel, despite not directly engaging in violent acts in Gaza.
By boosting Israel’s access to the world’s stock of spare parts, F-35 parts made in the UK, are a significant part of maintaining the Israeli fighter jets for combat.
The UK is actively involved in Israel’s genocide of the Palestinians by acting in such ways, the report claimed. It is not “simply failing to uphold international law” by acting in this way.
Additionally, while the British military has supplied Israel with these critical components, it has also developed a deeper military collaboration with Israel.
The British and Israeli militaries collaborate more effectively thanks to this two-way partnership, which added that the British military bases in Cyprus are a “foundational asset” for Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
The UK’s military joined efforts to shield Israel’s military infrastructure from an anticipated Iranian response in April 2024, according to the report, along with its direct military intervention in Yemen.
This came after Israel bombed an Iranian consulate building in Syria’s capital Damascus, killing at least 13 people, including two Syrian civilians.
“UK ministers and officials know that the UK has obligations under international law”, Sara Husseini, BPC director, told Al Jazeera.
The world’s highest court has informed them that Israel’s ongoing illegal occupation is ongoing, and that its actions in Gaza constitute a genocide.
” We are, therefore, calling on the government to immediately impose a two-way arms embargo, end all forms of military collaboration, and uphold the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. If not, the British government should face appropriate legal consequences. “
The group claims that the UK’s official policy, which is set out in its Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, will not grant an arms export licence “if it determines there is a clear risk that the items may be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.”
Six months into the Gaza war, then-foreign minister David Cameron declared that the UK would not halt British companies’ sales of arms to Israel in April 2024. He defended his decision a month later by claiming that they represent” less than 1 percent “of Israel’s arms imports.
30 out of 350 arms export licenses to Israel were suspended in September 2024 because of a “clear risk” that they might be used in grave breaches of international humanitarian law.
The British government has since issued 34 arms export permits to Israel, including three open permits that permit the export of an unlimited number and amount of goods.
The BPC argued in the 19-page report that the UK is legally required to prosecute those responsible for genocide as well as carry out international legal proceedings both within its own and, if necessary, internationally.
The group also emphasized that the need for “due diligence” in order to prevent genocide is a proactive rather than passive action and that factual evidence is required.
In 2022, the UK supplied 42 million pounds ($53m) worth of arms to Israel, according to media reports.
Source: Aljazeera
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