LONDON — The UK High Court has dismissed a legal challenge brought by Palestinian rights group Al-Haq, which sought to block Britain from exporting parts used in Israeli F-35 fighter jets, despite the jets’ reported role in the destruction of Gaza and the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians.

In a ruling delivered on Monday, judges Stephen Males and Karen Steyn rejected all arguments presented by Al-Haq, Amnesty International, Oxfam, Human Rights Watch and others, who argued that the UK government’s carve-out allowing the continued export of F-35 components was unlawful and potentially complicit in genocide.

The UK government previously suspended some arms export licences to Israel after concluding that there was a credible risk of violations of international humanitarian law. However, the ban did not include parts for the Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth jet, used extensively by Israel in its ongoing bombardment of Gaza.

Since the war escalated in October 2023, Israel’s campaign in Gaza has killed over 56,000 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry figures, which the United Nations has described as credible. The majority of casualties are believed to be civilians, including thousands of children.

Al-Haq had requested a judicial review of the government’s policy, but the court declined to intervene. “Under our constitution, that acutely sensitive and political issue is a matter for the executive,” the judges ruled, noting it was not within the court’s authority to order withdrawal from a multilateral defence collaboration.

Rights groups expressed outrage at the decision.

“We are disappointed by today’s ruling,” said Amnesty International UK chief executive Sacha Deshmukh, “but the court has been clear that this doesn’t absolve the executive or Parliament of their legal obligations.”

He added:

“The horrifying reality in Gaza is unfolding in full view of the world: entire families obliterated, civilians killed in so-called safe zones, hospitals reduced to rubble, and a population driven into starvation by blockade and forced displacement.”

Al-Haq’s General Director, Shawan Jabarin, said the organisation would “continue to persevere in the UK and beyond until governments are held accountable.”

A UK government spokesperson responded by defending its position, saying the ruling affirmed that Britain operates “one of the most robust export control regimes in the world.”

Controversy Over F-35 Programme

The UK is a key contributor to the international F-35 programme, supplying components such as laser targeting systems, refuelling probes, ejector seats and tyres. Defence Secretary John Healey has argued that a suspension of these exports could undermine the global F-35 initiative and pose a risk to international peace and security.

In September 2024, the newly elected Labour government suspended about 30 of 350 arms export licences to Israel, citing concerns over humanitarian law violations. However, critics say the carve-out for F-35 components rendered the action largely symbolic.

UK-based watchdog Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) revealed that the UK government approved £127.6 million (US$170 million) in single-issue arms licences to Israel between October and December 2024 — more than it had during the entire previous four years combined.

CAAT said the licences covered military radars, targeting equipment, and software — items with clear offensive and surveillance potential.

As legal avenues narrow, human rights advocates are shifting their focus back to Parliament, urging lawmakers to immediately halt all arms transfers to Israel in light of the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.