A legal challenge regarding the British government's involvement in permitting weapons to be sent to Israel is set to be heard at the High Court later this year. The challenge was filed by Palestinian human rights organization Al-Haq and the U.K.-based Global Legal Action Network in December, urging the U.K. to cease granting licenses for arms exports to Israel. This action was taken after the British government allegedly disregarded requests to halt arms sales to Israel following the deadly Hamas attack on October 7 that sparked the Israeli-Hamas conflict.
Although the case was initially dismissed in February, a High Court judge has now granted a judicial review hearing scheduled for October. Lawyers representing the human rights groups argued that there is a significant risk that the weapons could be used to perpetrate serious violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza.
On the other hand, the U.K. Department for Business and Trade, represented by lawyer James Eadie, defended the government's position by stating that decisions regarding arms sales are made with meticulous consideration and adherence to the law. Eadie emphasized that the government believes its actions have been lawful and rational.
Opposition to British arms exports to Israel has been longstanding, with increased calls for suspension following an Israeli airstrike that resulted in the deaths of seven aid workers from the charity World Central Kitchen, three of whom were British nationals.
Recently, over 600 British lawyers and judges, including retired judges from the U.K. Supreme Court, have joined the chorus demanding the government to halt arms sales to Israel. They argue that continuing to supply weapons could implicate the U.K. in grave breaches of international law, especially in light of the International Court of Justice's warning about a potential risk of genocide in Gaza.
The Campaign Against Arms Trade organization has highlighted that British industry, particularly BAE Systems, contributes around 15% of the components in the F-35 stealth combat aircraft used by Israel. The group alleges that these jets were utilized in the recent bombardment of Gaza.
Expressing concern over the situation, a senior lawyer at the Global Legal Action Network criticized the government for prolonging the process and urged immediate action to cease weapons sales to Israel in light of the pressing circumstances in Gaza.
