LONDON: More than 600 British jurists, including three retired judges from the UK Supreme Court, are calling on the government to suspend arms sales to Israel. The move comes in the wake of heightened scrutiny following an Israeli airstrike that resulted in the deaths of three UK aid workers.
The open letter addressed to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak highlights concerns that the UK could be complicit in “grave breaches of international law” if it continues to supply weapons to Israel. Citing the International Court of Justice’s conclusion of a “plausible risk of genocide” in Gaza, the signatories assert the UK’s legal obligation to reassess its arms exports policy.
Among the signatories is former Supreme Court President Brenda Hale, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Despite the UK’s longstanding alliance with Israel, calls for a reassessment have intensified amid mounting civilian casualties in the conflict.
UK’ Arms Sales to Israel
While UK arms sales to Israel constitute a relatively small portion of the country’s military exports, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps disclosed that military exports to Israel amounted to £42 million (€49 million) in 2022 alone. The UK provides components for the F-35 stealth combat aircraft, currently utilized by Israel in its operations in Gaza.
The recent Israeli airstrike that killed seven aid workers, including three British nationals, has further fueled demands for action. While Israel has attributed the attack to “misidentification,” calls for a halt to arms exports have gained traction across political lines in the UK.
Prime Minister Sunak has yet to commit to an arms export ban, emphasizing Israel’s right to self-defense while stressing the importance of compliance with international humanitarian law.
The UK’s deliberations on arms sales to Israel mirror similar debates among other longstanding allies, including Canada and the Netherlands, highlighting broader international scrutiny over the conflict in Gaza.
