Gearóid Ó Cuinn
@Gocuinn Director of Global Legal Action Network @glan_law; Adjunct Lecturer @IrishcentreHR; Human rights litigation. Visit http://glanlaw.org
Yesterday in the High Court, the UK’s complicity in atrocity crimes in Gaza was exposed. The key points: 1/ In response to questioning, the government was forced to admit that “Israel is not committed to complying with international humanitarian law” by its own assessment.
The government waited 5 weeks to act on the assessment (made 24 July 2024) that UK weaponry were, at risk of being used in serious violations of international humanitarian law and that arms exports should be suspended.
During that delay between 24 July and 2 September, 1,716 Palestinians were killed by Israel, according to @UNOCHA.
Instead of acting promptly, the UK explicitly chose to prioritize the “risk to the UK/US relationship” over Palestinian lives when deciding to continue exporting F-35 war jet components. By its own admission political expediency won.
Phillippa Kaufmann KC, acting for @Al_Haq, said the gov was using a “categorically wrong” and “highly improper” approach to assess whether Israel had breached IHL, which led to “flawed” decisions being made as to whether to suspend licences.
“Arms control experts and researchers say Israel has relied on F-35s for a high volume of air strikes in Gaza and, more recently, in Lebanon over the past 13 months. UK-made parts make up 15 percent of the jets.”
The backdrop to this decision is also important.@DeclassifiedUK has reported that the UK has conducted over 200 spy flights over Gaza, trained Israeli military personnel, & facilitated Israeli military plane visits since the onset of the Gaza conflict.
We’re now seeking to challenge the Sept decision not to suspend all licences, the exemption for the F-35, & decisions by the former Tory gov not to suspend licences in Dec ’23 and April & May this year. Our next hearing will in January. Please support:
More info to follow! Stay up to date on this case by signing up here: https://t.co/fziYxXWEBn