A LEGAL challenge over the export of F-35 fighter jet components to Israel should be heard by the end of May, the High Court has ruled.
Al-Haq, a Palestinian human rights organisation, is taking legal action against the Department for Business and Trade over several decisions not to suspend licences to export weapons and military equipment.
In September, the Labour Government suspended around 30 licences following a review of Israel’s compliance with international humanitarian law in the ongoing conflict, after the previous Conservative government refused to do so in December 2023 and April and May 2024.
But an exemption was made for some licences related to components of F-35 fighter jets, and around 330 others continued unaltered, which concerned items such as training and air defence equipment.
At a hearing in November, Al-Haq asked for the green light to challenge the decision not to suspend all licences in September, the move to “carve out” licences for F-35 components from the suspension, and decisions by the former Tory government not to suspend licences in December 2023 and April and May last year.
And in a judgment on Thursday, Justice Chamberlain said that the challenge over the “carve out” for F-35 parts should be heard at an expedited “rolled up” hearing – where the case is heard and permission is decided at the same time – by the end of May.
He said: “The F-35 carve out decision is one of considerable public importance in the UK and more broadly.
“There is a powerful public interest in a quick, final determination of its legality, one way or the other.”
A preliminary hearing in the case is now expected on Friday.
