Fighter jet parts sent through UK airport to Israel
(whatever)"Exclusive: As Israel uses F-35 fighter jets to bomb Iran and Gaza, we reveal parts for these warplanes were transported via London last month."
"Fighter jet components were transported via London Stansted airport to Israel last month, shipping documents seen by Declassified and The Ditch indicate.
The documents show how parts were shipped from the US by Lockheed Martin, an arms giant and the prime contractor in the F-35 fighter jet programme.
They passed through London Stansted Airport between 21 and 27 May before being sent on to “F-35 Israel Site Base 28” in Nevatim airbase, which houses Israel’s squadrons of fighter jets.
F-35s were deployed during Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iran, with the US and Israel altering the warplanes “to extend their range without the need for refuelling or compromising on stealth”.
They have also been used to commit war crimes in Gaza, including a devastating attack last year on the designated safe zone of Al-Mawasi, killing 90 people and injuring over 300 more.
The UK government suspended direct exports of F-35 parts to Israel last year but claimed it was not able to stop UK-made components being sent to Israel via third countries.
British ministers have said that stopping all F-35 exports would endanger “international peace and security” and suggested that Israel needs the advanced aircraft to “defend” itself against Iran.
Britain’s trade department further claimed it was not possible to track UK-made parts once they had entered global spares pools and stop them from being exported to Israel.
But the documents obtained by Declassified and The Ditch suggest it is possible to track shipments of F-35 components to Israel – including those passing through UK territory.
They further indicate how Britain continues to facilitate the F-35 supply chain to Israel even after the September arms restrictions, a finding which could implicate ministers in war crimes.
Jeremy Corbyn MP told Declassified: “Every day, we learn more and more about the true depths of UK complicity in war crimes.
“We must never lose sight of the fact that human beings are being torn apart and killed by F-35 jets – human beings who deserve to live a full life of happiness and peace like anyone else.
“The government is doing everything it can to avoid a full, independent, public inquiry into the UK’s involvement in Israeli military operations in Gaza. This damning revelation helps to explain why. Momentum is shifting – we will expose the truth, and we will bring about justice for the Palestinian people”.
https://www.declassifieduk.org/fighter-jet-parts-sent-through-uk-airport-to-israel/------------X
What is the F-35 fighter jet Israel uses to bomb Gaza and Iran?
https://www.declassifieduk.org/what-is-the-f-35-fighter-jet-israel-uses-to-bomb-gaza-and-iran/
