PRO-Palestinian demonstrators calling for an end to exports of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel have disrupted a talk by Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds.
As Reynolds began to speak at a conference hosted by Chatham House on Thursday morning, he was interrupted by a man accusing him of being “complicit in genocide” and demanding an end to the sale of F-35 parts to Israel.
Although the Government suspended some arms exports licences to Israel due to concerns they could be used to violate international law in Israel's bombardment of Gaza, components for the F-35 jet were not included in the ban.
The UK Government has argued that it cannot block the exports without disrupting the global F-35 supply chain.
After the protester was removed from the venue, Reynolds said: “We have suspended arms exports to Israel.
“We have not suspended F-35s because they are integral to our national security and the defence of Ukraine, and people will know the supply chain for the F-35 means they cannot be isolated to one country.
“That decision was laid out very clearly in Parliament, so I’m quite happy, if he wants to ask a question rather than jump on stage, to have that engagement with him.”
He was then interrupted by another protester waving a Palestinian flag, who was also removed from the venue.
A group of protesters had also gathered outside Chatham House, waving Palestinian flags and carry a banner saying “Stop arming Israel”.
Campaigners have called for all partners in the F-35 programme, including the UK and the US, to stop supplying the jet to Israel, claiming it has been used in breaches of international law.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy last week twice asserted that Israel was breaking international law with its aid blockades on Gaza, a position shared by experts.
However, under pressure from No 10 he was then forced into an embarrassing U-turn.
