A HIGH COURT hearing will be scheduled on the government's continued export of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel, it has been confirmed.

This is the latest development in a legal challenge to the arms sales brought by Palestinian human rights organisation Al-Haq and the Global Legal Action Network (Glan).

Last September, the Labour government failed to impose a full arms embargo as Israel continued its genocide in Gaza, suspending only 30 arms export licences out of 350 in total.

Among the goods still being exported were parts for F-35 warplanes, which are used to drop 2,000lb bombs on innocent civilians. 

Court documents revealed in November that the government knew there was a “clear risk” that the exports could be used to violate international humanitarian law, but it did not suspend them, claiming that such action would “have a profound impact on international peace and security” and “undermine US confidence in the UK and Nato.”

In his latest ruling on the export of arms to Israel, Mr Justice Chamberlain noted: “There is a powerful public interest in a quick, final determination of its legality, one way or the other.” 

A hearing is now expected to take place in May. 

Al-Haq general director Shawan Jabarin said: “Palestinians in Gaza have been killed and erased by weapons whose components are supplied to Israel by the UK government, acting in full knowledge of the consequences.”

Glan lawyer Jennine Walker said: “If even clear evidence of genocide will not stop the UK government from supplying weapons to Israel, what will? Actions speak louder than words.

“The UK continues to supply weapons that it accepts Israel might use to kill Palestinian people. 

“This must not be allowed to continue. Finally, over a year after this case was started, a court will decide Al-Haq and Glan’s legal challenge.”