A damning new report has exposed that the United Kingdom has continued to export thousands of military goods, including munitions and aircraft parts, to Israel since the onset of the war on Gaza in October 2023.
The findings, compiled by the Palestinian Youth Movement, Progressive International and Workers for a Free Palestine, contradict claims by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and other ministers that the government has curtailed arms exports, particularly components for F-35 fighter jets, following a partial suspension of export licenses in September 2024.
Drawing on import data from the Israel Tax Authority (ITA) and licensing records from the UK’s Export Control Joint Unit, the report, titled Exposing UK Arms Exports to Israel, details a steady flow of military goods, including bombs, grenades, missiles, and parts for tanks and armored vehicles.
Notably, it reveals that over 8,000 munitions were shipped to Israel after the UK’s announced suspension, raising serious questions about the government’s transparency and compliance with international law.
Extensive shipments of arms and munitions
The report documents 14 shipments of military items from the UK to Israel between October 2023 and March 2025, totaling over 160,000 items. These include 150,000 bullets shipped in October 2023, as well as rocket launchers, grenade launchers and parts for revolvers, pistols, shotguns and rifles.
Six shipments of 299 items classified as parts for tanks and armored vehicles were also recorded, with a maritime delivery to Haifa and air shipments to Ben Gurion Airport.
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A significant portion of these exports — 8,630 munitions — occurred after the UK government’s September 2024 suspension of approximately 30 arms export licenses, which was announced due to concerns that such exports could facilitate violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) in Gaza.
The report highlights that these shipments fall under customs codes explicitly defined as “arms and ammunition,” contradicting Lammy’s assertion in the House of Commons that UK exports to Israel are primarily “defensive” items like helmets and goggles.
Ongoing F-35 component exports
One of the report’s most alarming findings is the continued direct shipment of components for F-35 fighter jets to Israel, despite the government’s claim that such exports were halted in September 2024.
The UK, a key player in the global F-35 supply chain, produces parts at RAF Marham, which are shipped to F-35 users worldwide. Previous investigations by Declassified UK and The Ditch confirmed 14 direct shipments of F-35 parts to Israel between October 2023 and August 2024, often via courier services like El Al Airlines and FedEx.
The new report identifies 13 additional courier shipments of aircraft parts since September 2024, with customs codes matching those used for F-35 components. These shipments, ongoing as of March 2025, suggest that the UK has failed to enforce its own suspension.
The government’s exemption of F-35 components from the license suspensions, allowing exports to Israel via third countries, has created a loophole that appears to enable continued direct shipments.
By the government’s own admission, exporting F-35 parts to Israel presents a “clear risk” of contributing to violations of international law. The report argues that these ongoing shipments place the UK in breach of its obligations under international law, as F-35 jets have been extensively used by Israel in Gaza.
‘Misleading statements and lack of transparency’
The report accuses Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, and other ministers of misleading Parliament and the public.
Lammy’s claim that UK exports are not “routinely described as arms” is directly challenged by the evidence of thousands of munitions and weapons parts shipped since October 2023.
Similarly, ministerial assurances that direct F-35 component exports have ceased are undermined by the ITA import data.
The UK’s export licensing system is criticised for its opacity, with roughly 15% of licensing data no longer publicly available and no access to bills of lading or air waybills. This lack of transparency, combined with the use of broad customs codes that obscure whether goods are military or civilian, hampers accountability.
The report calls for the UK government to release a complete account of its arms exports to Israel and permit a thorough investigation.
Aircraft parts shipments
The report also examines shipments of aircraft parts under customs code 88, which covers “aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof.” Despite the suspension of licenses related to military aircraft, no decrease in these shipments was observed after September 2024.
In fact, a statistical analysis revealed a slight increase in shipment frequency, with 190 shipments of 9,725 items recorded between October 2023 and March 2025, valued at over £8.7 million.
While these shipments may include non-military goods, their consistency raises concerns about the effectiveness of the license suspensions. The report urges the government to clarify the nature of these exports and address the potential military use of aircraft parts.
Calls for accountability
The findings have sparked outrage among campaigners, who argue that the UK’s continued arms exports to Israel implicate it in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The Palestinian Youth Movement, one of the report’s co-authors, emphasised the need for accountability, stating: “The UK government’s complicity in Israel’s actions must end. These exports fuel violence and undermine international law.”
Progressive International and Workers for a Free Palestine echoed this call, demanding a full investigation into the UK’s arms trade with Israel. They also urged the government to close loopholes in the F-35 supply chain and ensure compliance with IHL.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “This government has suspended relevant licences for the IDF that might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza.
“Of the remaining licences for Israel, the vast majority are not for the Israeli Defence Forces but are for civilian purposes or re-export, and therefore are not used in the war in Gaza.
“The only exemption is the F-35 programme due to its strategic role in Nato and wider implications for international peace and security. Any suggestion that the UK is licensing other weapons for use by Israel in the war in Gaza is misleading.
“The UK totally opposes an expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. We urge all parties to return urgently to talks, implement the ceasefire agreement in full, secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas, and work towards a permanent peace.”
