In just 3 months, Labour outpaces Tories' 4-year 'Israel' arms deals

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
18 May 2025 13:44
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The UK Labour government's move has raised legal and humanitarian concerns amid Gaza’s genocide.

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Britain's Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Lady Victoria Starmer attend a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey on V-E Day in London, Thursday, May 8, 2025 (AP)

The UK Labour government authorized approximately $160 million in arms exports to "Israel" between October and December 2024, exceeding the total authorized under the Conservative Party during its entire 2020–2023 tenure. This data, obtained from newly released strategic export licensing records, highlight an unprecedented acceleration in British military support to "Israel" as its aggression on Gaza continues and intensifies.

By contrast, the Conservative government licensed around $144 million in arms sales to "Israel" over four years, with annual totals of $39 million in 2020, $30 million in 2021, $52 million in 2022, and $23 million in 2023.

The findings, compiled by the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), have drawn strong condemnation from rights advocates and civil society groups.

“This is the Labour government aiding and abetting Israel’s genocide in Gaza,” said Emily Apple, CAAT’s media coordinator. “It is sickening that instead of imposing a full two-way arms embargo, Keir Starmer’s government has massively increased the amount of military equipment the UK is sending to Israel.”

UK faces legal challenge over F-35 jet components

The arms export revelations come as the UK government is being taken to the High Court by Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq over its role in exporting F-35 fighter jet components used by "Israel" in Gaza.

At the centre of the legal dispute is the UK’s role in supplying parts for the US-made F-35 Lightning II fighter jet, which "Israel" has deployed extensively in its aggression on Gaza. While some arms export licences were suspended in 2024 amid concerns over potential breaches of international humanitarian law, F-35 jet components were not included, as they are shipped to the United States and then routed to "Israel" through the broader international F-35 programme.

The UK government, under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, has defended the continued export of F-35 parts. Sir James Eadie KC, leading the government’s legal team, argued that the decision was “lawful and justified,” citing the importance of the F-35 programme to NATO and allied security interests.

Court documents submitted by the Department for Business and Trade warn of the “gravity of the risks to the F-35 programme, and to international peace and security if the F-35 programme were to be compromised.” The government claims halting these exports would jeopardize national defense partnerships and broader strategic objectives.

While international and UK law requires halting arms exports when there is a clear risk they could contribute to serious violations of international humanitarian law, government lawyers have claimed that available evidence does not yet prove genocide has occurred or is ongoing in Gaza. They allege that assessing whether genocide is taking place falls under judicial, not governmental, authority.

“The UK government is arguing that ‘the impact of suspending F-35 components on operations in Gaza is likely to be minimal’ because the ‘IDF is one of the most significant and well-equipped militaries in the world,’” CAAT stated. “However, the claim that the impact would be ‘minimal’ is contradicted by the facts.”

According to CAAT, "Israel’s" fleet of 39 F-35 fighter jets is operating at five times its usual pace, increasing the demand for spare parts. Freedom of Information requests revealed that the UK's open license for F-35 components was used 14 times more frequently in 2023 than in any previous year.

Gaza siege deepens humanitarian crisis amid international warnings

The surge in UK arms sales comes as "Israel" maintains a prolonged siege on Gaza, cutting off essential supplies including food, medicine, and humanitarian aid. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reports that nearly 500,000 Palestinians are facing "catastrophic" hunger, with another one million in emergency-level conditions.

The humanitarian disaster has intensified following "Israel’s" violation of a ceasefire in March and its subsequent declaration of intent to occupy all of Gaza. The United Nations has warned that these actions may constitute war crimes and has repeatedly called for a ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access.

Despite escalating international criticism, the UK government has not halted its arms exports to "Israel". Legal experts warn that this stance may leave British officials vulnerable to accusations of complicity in war crimes.

Human rights organizations have denounced the UK’s position as not only morally indefensible but also legally precarious, given the extensive documentation of rights violations in Gaza.