UKLFI Charitable Trust held a webinar on Export of Arms to Israel: Law and Policy with Natasha Hausdorff and Anne Herzberg, on Tuesday 3 June, 2025.
On 2 September 2024 the UK government suspended licences for the export to Israel of military equipment that might be used in Gaza, except for parts for F35 aircraft.
Parts for F35 aircraft are exported by the UK to a pool controlled by the US. The UK government cannot control their subsequent use, short of refusing to supply them altogether, which would have a serious impact on the forces of the UK and its allies around the world.
This decision to suspend licences was not based on any finding that Israel had committed any violations of international humanitarian law in its use of the arms supplied. Indeed the UK government’s military advisers expressed their approval of the IDF’s conduct of hostilities on the information available. The decision was instead based on allegations that Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel had been abused and that Israel could have done more to facilitate humanitarian supplies.
The NGOs, GLAN and Al Haq, had brought a claim for judicial review against the UK government, seeking to stop the sale of all military equipment to Israel. Following the UK government’s decision on 2 September 2024, the claim was limited to the licences for F35 parts. The case was heard in the High Court in London on 13-16 May 2025. The Court has not yet given its judgment.
In this webinar Natasha Hausdorff and Anne Herzberg (who attended the hearing) will discuss the law, the policy, the politics and the role played by NGOs in relation to this issue.