UK government feared Israel arms ban would 'undermine US confidence'

The UK's newly elected Labour government continued to export F-35 fighter jet components destined for Israel, despite suspending other arms licences, because of concerns that halting their delivery would “undermine US confidence in the UK and Nato”, the UK's high court has heard.

The revelation came in a written submission from the government’s lawyer for a hearing in the legal challenge brought by two organisations, Al Haq and the Global Legal Action Network, over British arms exports to Israel.

According to the submission from barrister James Eadie, Defence Secretary John Healey advised the Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds on 18 July that it would not be possible to suspend licences for the components for Israel’s use “without wide impacts to the whole F-35 programme”.

“Such a suspension of F-35 licensing leading to the consequent disruption for partner aircraft, even for a brief period, would have a profound impact on international peace and security,” Healey advised Reynolds.

“It would undermine US confidence in the UK and Nato at a critical juncture in our collective history and set back relations. Our adversaries would not wait to take advantage of any perceived weakness, having global ramifications.”

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