The government has been lying: UK caught in 'Israel' arms scandal
5 Min Read
An investigation reveals the UK sent thousands of military items to "Israel" despite an export ban, prompting accusations of deceit and renewed calls to halt arms shipments.
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Police clear protesters, some chained, outside of the British consulate in occupied al-Quds, to call on the UK to stop providing arms to 'Israel' over its war on the Gaza Strip, Friday, August 16, 2024. (AP)
The UK government is facing accusations of dishonesty after an investigation revealed that thousands of weapons were shipped to "Israel", despite a declared suspension of arms exports. The disclosures have prompted demands for transparency, a formal inquiry, and even potential resignations.
The revelations stem from an in-depth review of Israeli customs data by the Palestinian Youth Movement, Progressive International, and Workers for a Free Palestine, in findings first reported by The Guardian. The data appear to undermine repeated assurances from Foreign Secretary David Lammy that British arms exports to "Israel" were “defensive in nature” and unrelated to Israeli military operations in Gaza.
In September 2024, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government suspended 29 arms export licences over concerns that UK-made equipment could be used in violations of international humanitarian law. However, more than 200 licences remained active, including those linked to the F-35 fighter jet programme, which the government claimed were necessary for national security and NATO obligations.
14 separate military shipments bound to 'Israel'
Despite the suspension, the new investigation found that at least 14 separate military shipments had been made from the UK to "Israel" since October 2023, 13 by air to Ben Gurion Airport and one by sea to Haifa. The maritime shipment alone contained 160,000 military items. Notably, since the suspension in September, 8,630 items categorised as “bombs, grenades, torpedoes, mines, missiles and similar munitions of war” were reportedly sent.
Four additional shipments included 146 items classified under a category for “tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles” and their parts, casting further doubt on whether the UK is upholding its own arms control commitments.
Monthly transfers of aircraft parts also appear to have continued, despite government claims that F-35-related exports were routed only to the US manufacturer Lockheed Martin, not directly to "Israel".
'The government has been lying'
Reacting to the revelations, former Labour Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said, “The government has shrouded its arms supplies to Israel in secrecy. They must finally come clean in response to this extremely concerning evidence and halt all British arms exports to Israel to ensure no British-made weapons are used in Netanyahu’s new and terrifying plans to annex the Gaza Strip and ethnically cleanse the land.”
Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana added, “This explosive report shows the government has been lying to us about the arms it is supplying to Israel while it wages genocide in Gaza. Far from ‘helmets and goggles’, the government has been sending thousands of arms and ammunition goods.”
A Foreign Office spokesperson defended the UK’s stance, claiming, “This government has suspended relevant licences for the IDF that might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza. Of the remaining licences, the vast majority are for civilian purposes or re-export… The only exemption is the F-35 programme due to its strategic role in NATO.”
Critics say the lack of transparency regarding the scope of remaining licences has left fundamental questions about oversight and accountability unanswered. As the Israeli genocide in Gaza continues unabated, campaigners and MPs continue to press for a full halt to all British arms exports to "Israel".
Save the Children urges UK to halt arms sales to 'Israel'
Earlier this month, the UK-based charity Save the Children called on the British government to immediately halt all arms transfers to "Israel" and “end its complicity,” as Gaza enters its third month under a full blockade.
In a statement posted on X, the organization urged urgent action to hold all perpetrators accountable and end what it described as “Israel’s impunity".
Since March 2, "Israel" has sealed Gaza’s crossings, preventing the entry of essential aid such as food, water, and medicine, despite mounting reports of famine.
“Two months of no food. No water. No fuel. And the UK government is still complicit. The UK Government must not be an ally to atrocities,” the charity warned.
The charity emphasized that obstructing humanitarian aid violates international law.
“Instead of much-needed food, clothing, or tents to help children survive, airstrikes continue,” Save the Children posted on X.
It called for an immediate reversal of the aid blockade, insisting that humanitarian assistance must be allowed into Gaza, and warning that expressions of concern are “meaningless without action.”
It is worth noting that the Gaza Ministry of Health confirmed today that in 24 hours, hospitals in Gaza received 38 martyrs, including four of whom were retrieved from under the rubble, in addition to 145 injuries.
In its latest report, the ministry announced that the death toll from the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza has reached 52,653 martyrs, while the number of wounded has reached 118,897 since October 7, 2023.
Since March 18, the casualty toll has reached 2,545 martyrs and 6,856 wounded, according to the ministry's report.
