The UK government approved $169m worth of military equipment to Israel in the three months that followed the Labour government’s partial suspension of arms exports over concerns they could be used unlawfully in Gaza.
Export data released on Thursday shows that 20 different licences in categories such as military aircraft, radars, targeting equipment, and explosive devices, were approved between October and December 2024.
Arms campaigners say the three-month total is more than what was approved altogether under the Tory government between 2020 and 2023, and said the increase was “truly shocking”.
“This is the Labour government aiding and abetting Israel’s genocide in Gaza,” said Emily Apple, media coordinator for the UK-based Campaign Against Arms Trade.
I don’t think you understand. The genocide convention doesn’t excuse war-crimes if arms are sent through a third party.
If the UK starts sending weapons to Kazachstan which then gives them to Russia, and it is brought to the UK’s attention that Kazachstan is sending the weapons to Russia, do you think that “no we’re sending them to Kazachstan” is an acceptable excuse?
That’s not a like for like comparison, because we aren’t selling weapons to Israel or sending them through another country, we’re just in the F35 programme.
I get it, if you were PM (you claim) you’d drop out of the F35 programme, despite it being an absolutely tremendously expensive move that would also leave us extremely vulnerable in terms of defence and ability to defend others. You’d piss off allied countries that we have defence pacts with, as well as others in the F35 programme. You’d signal to the world that Britain is not to be trusted and should never be entered into a defence agreement with, something that would cause permanent irreparable damage to us.
In the meantime, Israel would still get to maintain their planes. But critically, you’d get to feel righteous, and that’s what’s more important.
The F35 programme is not a magic wand which absolves all complicity in war crimes. There’s a reason the UK denies that Israel is committing genocide.
Kid Starver is not doing this out of strategic importance. He got his position by kicking out Corbyn for being anti Israel.