UK Labour MP Zarah Sultana urges complete arms embargo on Israel

UK Labour MP Zarah Sultana issued an open letter on Thursday urging Foreign Secretary David Lammy to implement a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel, including a halt to the supply of F-35 fighter jet components.

Israel’s war on Gaza, which has killed over 43,000 Palestinians killed since October 2023, has led to increased calls for governments to stop arming Israel. 

Sultana has been a leading critic within her party, calling for tougher measures amid public backlash against Labour for its perceived pro-Israel stance since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict. 

In her letter to Lammy, Sultana highlighted reports of the direct British transportation of F-35 fighter jet components to Israel, believed to be used in aircraft deployed for bombings in Gaza. 

“This raises significant concerns, as the UK is not only licensing the export of offensive F-35 fighter jet components to Israel but also facilitating their transport through British military sites and airports,” she noted. 

Sultana also questioned the UK’s decision to suspend 30 arms export licences to Israel, while exempting F-35 parts.  

The MP for Coventry South pointed out that the British government has yet to respond to a previous letter issued by several MPs in September, calling for clarification on the matter. 

“I reiterate my request for a full explanation to Parliament on how the government’s exemptions of this offensive weaponry are consistent with the UK’s international obligations,” Sultana stated, referencing the ICJ’s July ruling that countries are obliged to prevent trade or investment that supports the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.  

Human rights groups also have raised concerns over Israel’s violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza using Western-supplied weapons, noting that the UK provides 15 percent of the components for the F-35, one of the most advanced strike aircraft. 

Eighteen UK-based charities, including Medical Aid for Palestinians, Oxfam GB, and Save the Children UK, signed a collective statement calling for an end to all arms transfers to Israel, highlighting the exemption of F-35 components. 

Alongside Sultana, the Independent Alliance group of MPs, which includes former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, issued a statement condemning the arms sales. 

“This announcement must be the first step in ending all arms transfers to Israel, including parts for F-35 fighter jets, used by the Israeli military in Gaza,” the group’s previous statement read. 

The British government has so far rejected calls for a full arms embargo on Israel.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer declined such measures in response to an earlier query from Sultana on the 7 October anniversary. 

“No… Banning all sales would mean none for defensive purposes,” Starmer responded in the House of Commons. 

Since 7 October 2023, other countries including Italy, Japan, Spain, Canada, the Netherlands, and Belgium have announced full or partial restrictions on weapons sales to Israel.