UK Accused of Supplying Thousands of Military Items to Israel Despite Export Ban

Report by Safarti Tarjuman International Desk

New trade data analysis has revealed that British companies exported thousands of military-grade items, including munitions, to Israel, despite the UK government’s suspension of key arms export licences in September 2024.

The findings, compiled by the Palestinian Youth Movement, Progressive International, and Workers for a Free Palestine, suggest that shipments continued under the cover of 200 remaining export licences. These included 14 deliveries since October 2023 — 13 by air to Ben Gurion Airport and one maritime shipment to Haifa, the latter carrying 160,000 items.

Among the exports recorded after the ban were over 8,630 items classified as bombs, grenades, torpedoes, mines, and missiles, as well as 146 items listed under a customs code for tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles.

Concerns have also been raised regarding the UK’s ongoing supply of F-35 fighter jet parts. Although the Labour government claimed in September that components would only be exported to Lockheed Martin in the US to preserve the global supply chain.

Former Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell called for a full investigation, suggesting Foreign Secretary David Lammy may have misled Parliament when stating that UK supplies to Israel were “defensive in nature.” McDonnell warned that misleading the House would be a resigning matter, citing violations of the ministerial code.

Labour MP Zarah Sultana, recently stripped of the party whip for defying benefit legislation, condemned the revelations, stating, “This explosive report shows the government has been lying about supplying arms to Israel while it wages genocide in Gaza.”