Arms sales to Israel land UK government in court

Rights groups have taken the UK government to court over its arms exports to Israel amid the catastrophic war in Gaza. 

Supported by the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), Palestinian human rights organisation Al-Haq and UK-based Global Legal Action Network (GLAN) want London to immediately suspend lucrative weapons sales to Israel, claiming there is a "clear risk" they are being used in war crimes. 

They announced their legal challenge on Tuesday, claiming the government had "repeatedly ignored" written requests to halt supplying arms to Israel over "grave concerns". 

Their High Court case centres upon Israel's "indiscriminate attacks on civilians and infrastructure critical for their survival, starvation, forced displacement" and the "risk of genocide," said GLAN Director Dr Gearóid Ó Cuinn in a press briefing attended by Euronews. 

He told reporters such weapons deliveries "called into question the UK's domestic and international legal obligations in light of the atrocities being committed by Israel in Gaza.

"Like other members of the international community, the UK has a clear obligation to prevent such crimes, including genocide, and should immediately consider all diplomatic, political and economic measures to do so."

In a statement, the UK Department for Business and Trade spokesperson said: “We are monitoring the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories very closely.

“We can and do respond quickly and flexibly to changing international circumstances. All licences are kept under careful and continual review and we are able to amend, suspend, refuse or revoke licences as circumstances require.”

The government has previously said it has 'no plans' to suspend arms sales to Israel,