The UK recently made headlines by suspending 30 arms export licenses to Israel in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. However, this decision has faced criticism due to the exemption made for F-35 parts, believed to be used in Israeli airstrikes on the enclave.
Israel currently has 36 F-35 jets and plans to increase its fleet to 75. Reports suggest that Israeli F-35s were involved in a strike that killed a Hamas military leader, resulting in civilian casualties.
Despite concerns about violations of international law, the UK decided to exempt F-35 components from the arms license suspension. Foreign Minister David Lammy justified this decision by citing the importance of the global F-35 supply chain for UK security and NATO.
However, critics argue that this exemption falls short of holding Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza. Calls for a complete arms embargo on Israel have been echoed by various organizations and MPs.
The debate continues as the conflict in Gaza persists, highlighting the complexities of international arms exports and the ethical considerations involved.
