More than three dozen British legislators are pressing the government for answers regarding its failure to suspend export licenses for F-35 fighter jet parts that could be used in the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza.

In a letter addressed to key government ministers on Friday, 37 MPs raised concerns over the continued licensing of these parts despite a partial ban on arms sales to the Israeli occupation.

The MPs criticized the government for its limited action, pointing out that the suspension of only 30 export licenses does not go far enough.

They warned that the ongoing sales could implicate the UK in "grave violations of international law" committed by the Israeli occupation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. The UK government retains the authority to remove "Israel" from the list of approved recipients for F-35 parts but is yet to do so.

"The government has admitted it cannot license the direct transfer of F-35 components to Israel due to the clear risk of serious international humanitarian law violations," the MPs wrote. However, they noted that the UK continues to allow the export of F-35 parts to the occupation through third-party countries, including the United States.

The letter further questioned the legality and necessity of this exemption, demanding a "fuller and proper explanation" to Parliament. The MPs argued that there appears to be no legal justification for continuing these sales, especially given the UK's international obligations.

Partial exports licenses suspension

Foreign Secretary David Lammy, defending the partial ban last week, claimed that halting the export of F-35 components entirely "would undermine the global F-35 supply chain" vital to the security of the UK, its allies, and NATO. However, this explanation has not satisfied critics.

Human rights groups and arms campaigners have expressed concern over the UK’s role in supplying parts for F-35 jets, which they describe as a key asset in the Israeli aggression on Gaza. The UK-made components constitute 15% of each F-35 fighter jet, raising ethical questions about the country's complicity in the war.

The Israeli occupation has throughout the war on Gaza received substantial financial, intelligence, and logistical support from the United States, the United Kingdom, and other European allies. 

The British government had announced the immediate suspension of 30 out of its 350 arms export licenses with the Israeli occupation, citing concerns that the equipment might be used in ways that violate international humanitarian law.

Lammy, however, rushed to emphasize that this suspension does not amount to a blanket ban or an arms embargo but is a targeted measure. "It is with regret that I inform the House of Commons today that the assessment I have received leaves me unable to conclude anything other than that for certain UK arms exports to Israel, there exists a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law," Lammy stated.

The suspended licenses involve components for military aircraft, including fighter jets, helicopters, and drones, which could potentially be used in the ongoing genocide. Despite this action, Lammy assured that British arms exports constitute less than 1% of the total arms the Israeli occupation receives, and the suspension is unlikely to have a significant impact in light of the war.

Lammy reiterated the UK's support for the Israeli occupation's "right to defend itself" provided it aligns with international law. Unlike the United States, the UK does not provide arms directly to the Israeli occupation but issues licenses for companies to sell weapons.