London (Agencies): British judges are set to issue a landmark ruling on Monday over whether the UK government can continue supplying components for Israel’s F-35 fighter jets, amid mounting legal pressure from human rights groups concerned about violations of international humanitarian law.
The case, brought by Palestinian rights organization Al-Haq, challenges the UK’s partial suspension of arms export licenses announced in September 2024. While the government halted approximately 30 out of 350 licenses due to the risk of complicity in breaches of international law in Gaza, it allowed the continued export of parts for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 stealth jets—a decision Al-Haq calls unlawful.
Al-Haq, supported by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Oxfam, argues that British-made components—such as refueling probes, laser targeting systems, and ejector seats—are aiding Israeli operations in Gaza that have allegedly resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian civilian deaths, as reported by health authorities in the Hamas-controlled territory.
Defense Secretary John Healey has defended the exemption, warning that any suspension affecting the F-35 program would have a “profound impact on international peace and security” and could strain UK-U.S. defense cooperation. The UK is a key supplier within the international consortium behind the F-35 production.
Government lawyer James Eadie told the High Court that the Department for Business and Trade acted lawfully and that legal action questioning Israel’s battlefield conduct could jeopardize the UK’s diplomatic relations with a close ally.
The case also comes amid accusations by Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) that UK arms exports to Israel surged dramatically in late 2024. CAAT claims that £127.6 million in military sales were approved from October to December—more than the combined total from 2020 to 2023.
The court is expected to deliver its decision at 0930 GMT. If successful, the lawsuit could set a precedent for broader legal challenges to UK arms exports, particularly those linked to multinational defense projects.