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The UK government has defended its continued export of fighter jet parts to Israel, arguing in court that halting the supply would jeopardise national security and strain diplomatic ties. This comes following an escalating legal challenge over Britain’s role in the conflict in Gaza.
At the High Court in London on Thursday, government lawyer James Eadie said suspending export licences for components used in Israel’s F-35 stealth jets — made by US manufacturer Lockheed Martin — could disrupt the international F-35 programme and pose “extremely serious risks to the UK and international security.”
The case, brought by the Palestinian rights group Al-Haq and backed by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Oxfam and others, alleges the UK is violating international law by allowing the export of advanced parts used in Israeli airstrikes. The F-35 jets have been deployed in both Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Al-Haq’s lawyers argue the UK government has been aware of a “clear risk” that the jets may be used in ways that breach international humanitarian law. But Eadie contended that decisions around the legality of Israel’s actions fall outside the remit of the court and warned that any such ruling could damage “foreign relations with a friendly state, namely Israel.”
He also noted that the UK’s trade decisions were made with an aim to maintain “cordial” ties with Israel, and that the Department for Business and Trade had acted lawfully in granting the licences.
Following a government review, the UK’s Labour administration announced in September 2024 that it would suspend 30 of the 350 arms export licences to Israel. However, the partial ban excluded components of the F-35 jet, including refuelling probes, laser targeting systems, tyres, and ejector seats — all produced in Britain, according to Oxfam.
The UK’s defence secretary previously warned that halting the export of these parts could undermine US trust in the UK and its position in NATO, due to the joint nature of the F-35 programme.
Al-Haq’s legal team argued that the global pooling system for F-35 parts creates a “loophole,” effectively allowing British-made components to continue flowing to Israel despite the partial export suspension.
Meanwhile, Campaign Against Arms Trade criticised the UK government for what it described as a “shocking increase” in military exports to Israel after the September review. The NGO said the UK authorised £127.6 million in new military export licences to Israel between October and December 2024 — more than the total issued from 2020 to 2023 combined. These included approvals for military radars, targeting systems, components, and software.
The four-day court hearing concludes on Friday and is the latest chapter in a long-running legal battle. It remains unclear when the court will deliver its ruling.
