Palestinian NGO Asks British Court To Block Delivery Of Canag F-35 Tribe To Israel

JAKARTA - The UK has allowed spare parts of F-35 fighter jets to be exported to Israel even though it knows these parts can be used to violate international humanitarian law in Gaza.

Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq, based in the West Bank, which documents alleged human rights abuses by Israel and the Palestinian Authority, has taken legal action against Britain's Department of Business and Trade at the London High Court.

Israel is said to have violated international humanitarian law in the Gaza war.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Human Rights office said nearly 70 percent of the verified fatalities were women and children, a report Israel rejected.

Israel says it is cautious not to injure civilians and denies committing violations and war crimes in conflict with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

As reported by Reuters on Monday, November 18, Al-Haq's lawsuit came after Britain in September suspended 30 from 350 arms export permits, although Britain excluded exports of indirect F-35 parts, citing its impact on the global F-35 program.

Al-Haq believes the decision violates the law because there is a clear risk that the F-35 can be used to violate international humanitarian law.

British government lawyers said in court documents that ministers considered Israel to have committed possible violations of international humanitarian law in connection with humanitarian access and treatment of prisoners.

"The UK also accepts there is a clear risk that the F-35 component may be used to commit or facilitate serious violations against HHI", said British lawyer James Eadie.

Eadie said Britain remains to decide on the F-35 component to be exported, citing Defense Minister John Healey's advice that the suspension of F-35 parts would have a major impact on international peace and security.

The full trial of Al-Haq's lawsuit is likely to be heard in early 2025.