The UK Supreme Court in London has dismissed a petition filed by human rights groups seeking to halt the export of British arms to Israel.
This decision comes amidst growing calls from pro-Palestinian organizations for the UK to cease arms sales to the Israeli military, currently engaged in a conflict in Gaza for over four months.
According to Sky News, a coalition of human rights groups had urged the Supreme Court in January to expedite a judicial review of the UK government’s decision to continue selling military spare parts and weapons to Israel.
British strategic licensing standards stipulate that arms exports should not proceed if there is a clear risk of their use in violations of international humanitarian law.
The plaintiffs, led by the Palestinian rights foundation Al-Haq, argued that the UK government is overlooking its own rules in the context of the Gaza conflict.
However, the court ruled against the petition, as stated by the plaintiffs’ lawyers, who indicated their intention to appeal the decision.
Pro-Palestinian organizations have filed several lawsuits aiming to stop the arms exports to Israel amidst rising casualties in the Gaza Strip.
It is noteworthy that in mid-February, the Hague Court of Appeal ordered the Netherlands to halt the delivery of spare parts for F-35 fighter jets used by Israel in Gaza, citing a “clear risk” of these aircraft being used in violation of international humanitarian law.
