Campaigners Push for Court Ban on UK F-35 Parts Sales to Israel After ICC Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu

London (Quds News Network)- Human rights groups are moving to halt UK arms sales to Israel after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over war crimes in Gaza, reported The Guardian. Campaigners argue that continuing arms exports makes the UK complicit in violations of international law.

The Global Legal Action Network (GLAN) and Palestinian organization Al-Haq will apply for an emergency injunction to stop the export of F-35 jet engine parts to Israel, citing their use in military operations against Palestinians in Gaza. The UK government has until Friday to submit a defense ahead of the High Court hearing.

Arms and F-35 Parts Exports Amid Genocide

At a November 18 court hearing, UK officials admitted that fears of damaging ties with the US influenced their decision to allow arms exports. Ministers, however, claimed the F-35 parts go into a general supply pool, making it impossible to trace which parts Israel uses in Gaza.

Campaigners reject this claim, insisting British-made parts fuel violations of international humanitarian law. Meanwhile, Labour reversed a Conservative policy allowing certain arms licenses to Israel, warning the exports could lead to serious breaches of humanitarian law.

GLAN lawyer Charlotte Andrews-Briscoe condemned the UK’s actions, stating, “It is unconscionable that the UK still allows British-made F-35 components to aid Israel’s extermination campaign against Palestinians. The UK is arming war criminals indicted by the world’s top criminal court.”

Al-Haq spokesperson Zainah El-Haroun stressed the ICC arrest warrants’ importance. “These warrants provide overwhelming evidence that British weapons, especially F-35 parts, are used to commit international crimes, including genocide,” she said.

This legal action marks the first major response to the ICC’s arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant over war crimes in Gaza.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy pledged the UK would “follow due process.” However, Conservative MPs claim UK laws shield Netanyahu from arrest during visits.

British Foreign Office Minister Anneliese Dodds criticized Israel’s prevention of aid to Gaza, warning of severe malnutrition and illness as winter worsens conditions. Her remarks contrast with the US stance, which recently lifted its threat to withhold arms shipments.

Campaigners’ legal efforts come as Gaza faces a dire humanitarian crisis. Dodds highlighted the critical impact of aid restrictions, calling them “unacceptable” and urging immediate action to lift them.