LONDON (Reuters) -Britain’s decision to allow the export of F-35 fighter jet components to Israel, despite accepting they could be used in breach of international humanitarian law in Gaza, was lawful, London’s High Court ruled on Monday.
Al-Haq, a group based in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, had taken legal action against Britain’s Department for Business and Trade over its decision to exempt F-35 parts when it suspended some arms export licences last year.
The United Kingdom had assessed that Israel was not committed to complying with international humanitarian law, in relation to humanitarian access and the treatment of detainees, as the basis for its decision.
But Britain decided to “carve out” F-35 licences, with the government saying suspending those licences would disrupt a global programme that supplies parts for the aircraft, with a knock-on impact on international security.
Any such disruption would “undermine U.S. confidence in the UK and NATO”, the Ministry of Defence said.
Al-Haq argued at a hearing last month that the decision was unlawful as it was in breach of Britain’s obligations under international law, including the Geneva Convention.
But the High Court dismissed the group’s challenge in a written ruling.
(Reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by William James)
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