A UK Socialist's blog

The government knows it is enabling Israel’s genocide in Gaza

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/government-knows-it-enabling-israels-genocide-gaza

 Sherin Wafi (centre) and her daughter Mira (4) mourn during the funeral of her husband Hosam Wafi, who was killed by an Israeli strike in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, June 2, 2025

Starmer should not need to wait for the High Court’s decision on F-35 parts in order to do the right thing, warns CLAUDIA WEBBE

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According to the government’s “Strategic export controls: quarterly licensing statistics,” the UK sent more arms to Israel in the final three months of 2024, after the 8 per cent “ban,” than in all the preceding four years from 2020-23 combined. This escalation included the secret use of British military aircraft on at least seven occasions to deliver F-35 parts directly to Israel.

The government’s argument in court for the continued supply of F-35 parts to Israel has scraped through the bottom of even the toughest barrel. Its lawyers have argued that the “security” need to keep parts available around the world overrides Britain’s obligations, which are unequivocal under international law, to intervene to prevent genocide and war crimes and both that “no evidence has been seen that Israel is deliberately targeting civilian women or children” and that “there is also evidence of Israel making efforts to limit incidental harm to civilians,” despite Israel’s known heavy use of the heaviest US-made “dumb bombs” on densely populated civilian areas and the tent camps of refuges in supposed safe zones.

The government’s claim also flouts the clear evidence, provided by the United Nations as well as by every international, including Israeli human rights and humanitarian group, that Israel’s blockade is inflicting starvation on Gaza, putting huge numbers of civilians and especially children, at “imminent” risk of starving to death. According to Unicef in mid-May, “71,000 children and more than 17,000 mothers … need urgent treatment for acute malnutrition.”

In reality, the British government could inflict rapid degradation on the ability of Israel to kill Palestinian civilians in Gaza just by imposing a ban on parts for a single aircraft type, that would also send a clear message to other governments still prevaricating over their obligations to take every available action to end Israel’s genocide in Gaza. The effects of this action, both militarily and politically, would be massively amplified if Britain did its legal duty and imposed the complete arms embargo demanded by human rights groups and campaigners.

All of this is possible right now. The Starmer government should not need a court order before it does the self-evidently right thing, and it must not drag its feet while the court process grinds on and more civilians in Gaza are killed. Every socialist, every decent human being, must demand nothing less on the streets and directly to the British Parliament and of their MP.

Claudia Webbe was previously the member of Parliament for Leicester East (2019–24). You can follow her at www.facebook.com/claudiaforLE and x.com/claudiawebbe.

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/government-knows-it-enabling-israels-genocide-gaza

Experiencing issues with this image not appearing. I suspect because it's so critical of Zionist Keir Starmer's support of and complicity in Israel's genocides.
Genocide denier and Current UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is quoted that he supports Zionism without qualification. He also confirms that UK air force support has been essential in Israel’s mass-murdering genocide. Includes URLs https://www.declassifieduk.org/keir-starmers-100-spy-flights-over-gaza-in-support-of-israel/ and https://youtu.be/O74hZCKKdpA
UK Labour Party government ministers Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves explain that they are partners complicit in Israel's Gaza genocide. The UK has provided Israel with arms, military and air force support. They explain that they don't do gas chambers but do do forced marches, starvation, destroy hospitals, mass-murders of journalists and healthcare workers.
UK Labour Party government ministers Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves explain that they are partners complicit in Israel’s Gaza genocide. The UK has provided Israel with arms, military and air force support. They explain that they don’t do gas chambers but do do forced marches, starvation, destroy hospitals, mass-murders of journalists and healthcare workers.
UK Foreign Minister David Lammy confirms that UK government and military are active participants in Israel’s genocides and that the F-35 parts that they suspended from supplying to Israel are instead simply diverted via the United States. He says see https://youtu.be/QILgUHrdWRE
UK Foreign Minister David Lammy confirms that UK government and military are active participants in Israel’s genocides and that the F-35 parts that they suspended from supplying to Israel are instead simply diverted via the United States. He says see https://youtu.be/QILgUHrdWRE
Continue ReadingThe government knows it is enabling Israel’s genocide in Gaza

Campaigners condemn ‘sham’ review of Britain’s privatised water sector

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/campaigners-condemn-sham-review-britains-privatised-water-sector

 A tanker pumps out excess sewage from the Lightlands Lane sewage pumping station in Cookham, Berskhire which flooded after recent heavy rainfall, January 10, 2024

THE Water Commission’s interim review is a “sham” and “reads more like a sales pitch” to investors, campaigners warned today.

The commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England, said it had been tasked to focus on reforms to “improve the privatised regulated model.”

The report clarified it would “not make recommendations specific to any individual water companies.”

Instead, the commission urged the industry to “attract investors seeking low-risk, low-return investment,” which would require “restoring confidence in the stability and predictability of the regulatory system.”

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Founder and director of anti-privatisation group We Own It Cat Hobbs called the report a “sham,” adding: “There is a huge gaping hole in the whole exercise, namely examining who owns our water. 

“The government blocked Sir John Cunliffe from looking into public ownership as a possible solution before he even began his review.

“If you’re one of the few people who still believe the private sector will solve the water crisis, you’re probably either a water company shareholder or a government minister!”

England and Wales are among the few countries with a privatised water system, unlike over 90 per cent of the world.

…

See the original article at https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/campaigners-condemn-sham-review-britains-privatised-water-sector

Continue ReadingCampaigners condemn ‘sham’ review of Britain’s privatised water sector

Morning Star Editorial: Britain is the real threat to peace

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/britain-real-threat-peace

 Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a visit to BAE Systems in Govan, Glasgow, to launch the Strategic Defence Review, June 2, 2025

KEIR STARMER justifies the immense increases in military spending stretching years into the future by reference to “threats” to Britain from purportedly hostile states.

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Who is the real threat here? Both the historical record and contemporary politics show that it is the armed forces of imperialist Britain which menace independent countries across the world, not the other way around.

That is why the arms spending increases — with 3 per cent of GDP going on the military likely only a first step given Nato’s war frenzy — will not only fail to make Britain safer, it will ramp up conflict in many theatres, from Europe to the Middle East to the Pacific.

Starmer claims that he is making Britian “war-ready.” Yet this century alone, while supposedly basking in a “peace dividend,” Britain has waged aggression against Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria and Yemen.

Plans to deploy British forces to Ukraine only underline the point. If this is the record before the country is “war-ready” what can we expect once the neo-imperialists of Whitehall are still more tooled up?

Ultimately, it is the politics of war, not the technology of it, which is decisive. A big army of a peaceful power, like China, is far less of a menace than a smaller one in aggressive hands.

Almost the entire record of the British Establishment throughout the ages shows that it cannot be trusted with large armed forces. Today it deploys those forces, usually at the behest of the US, to enforce a world order privileging British capitalist interests.

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See the original article at https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/britain-real-threat-peace

Experiencing issues with this image not appearing. I suspect because it's so critical of Zionist Keir Starmer's support of and complicity in Israel's genocides.
Genocide denier and Current UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is quoted that he supports Zionism without qualification. He also confirms that UK air force support has been essential in Israel’s mass-murdering genocide. Includes URLs https://www.declassifieduk.org/keir-starmers-100-spy-flights-over-gaza-in-support-of-israel/ and https://youtu.be/O74hZCKKdpA
UK Labour Party government ministers Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves explain that they are partners complicit in Israel's Gaza genocide. The UK has provided Israel with arms, military and air force support. They explain that they don't do gas chambers but do do forced marches, starvation, destroy hospitals, mass-murders of journalists and healthcare workers.
UK Labour Party government ministers Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves explain that they are partners complicit in Israel’s Gaza genocide. The UK has provided Israel with arms, military and air force support. They explain that they don’t do gas chambers but do do forced marches, starvation, destroy hospitals, mass-murders of journalists and healthcare workers.
Continue ReadingMorning Star Editorial: Britain is the real threat to peace

Campaigners slam government legislation backing Drax subsidies

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/campaigners-slam-government-legislation-backing-drax-subsidies

 Wind turbines at Loftsome Bridge, East Yorkshire, with Drax Power station in the distance

CLIMATE campaigners have condemned Labour MPs for backing legislation that extends massive subsidies to biomass giant Drax, despite the company’s high carbon emissions and forest destruction.

The law, passed in a committee vote on Monday night, allows indefinite subsidies for wood-burning power stations, undoing stricter 2019 emissions standards that would have disqualified Drax.

In 2024, Drax burned 7.3 million tonnes of wood — much from the total felling of forests in North America and Europe — and received £869m in public subsidies while making nearly £1.1bn in profit.

Of the 15 MPs present at the vote, all 11 Labour members backed the measure, while three Tories and one Lib Dem opposed it.

Campaigners accused the government of greenwashing and prioritising polluters over real climate solutions.

…

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/campaigners-slam-government-legislation-backing-drax-subsidies

Protest placard reads Greenwash detected
Protest placard reads Greenwash detected
Continue ReadingCampaigners slam government legislation backing Drax subsidies

Approved UK arms exports to Israel skyrocketed under Labour, data shows

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/major-jump-approved-uk-arms-exports-israel-weeks-after-gaza-ban

Foreign Secretary David Lammy announcing the partial suspension of arms exports to Israel in September 2024 (Parliamentary Recording Unit/AFP)

UK greenlit $169m in military goods to Israel in three months after a partial arms embargo

The UK government approved $169m worth of military equipment to Israel in the three months that followed the Labour government’s partial suspension of arms exports over concerns they could be used unlawfully in Gaza. 

Export data released on Thursday shows that 20 different licences in categories such as military aircraft, radars, targeting equipment, and explosive devices, were approved between October and December 2024.

Arms campaigners say the three-month total is more than what was approved altogether under the Tory government between 2020 and 2023, and said the increase was “truly shocking”.

“This is the Labour government aiding and abetting Israel’s genocide in Gaza,” said Emily Apple, media coordinator for the UK-based Campaign Against Arms Trade. 

“It is sickening that instead of imposing a full two-way arms embargo, Keir Starmer’s government has massively increased the amount of military equipment the UK is sending to Israel.” 

…

Article continues at https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/major-jump-approved-uk-arms-exports-israel-weeks-after-gaza-ban

Genocide denying UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy says that UK is suspending 30 of 350 arms licences to Israel. He also confirms the UK government's support for Israel's Gaza genocide and the UK government and military's active participation in genocide.
Genocide denying UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy says that UK is suspending 30 of 350 arms licences to Israel. He also confirms the UK government’s support for Israel’s Gaza genocide and the UK government and military’s active participation in genocide.

The UK Labour government hugely increased arms exports to Israel while giving the impression of restricting them. The UK government made the announcement of suspending 30 licences on 2nd September 2024.

Guardian: UK suspends 30 arms export licences to Israel after review 2nd September 2024

An Israeli F-35 fighter jet taking off. The suspension covers components for certain military aircraft. Photograph: Abir Sultan/EPA

Foreign Office says review found ‘clear risk’ UK arms may be used in violation of humanitarian law

The UK has broken with the Biden administration on a significant part of their tightly coordinated policy towards Israel by announcing it is suspending some arms export licences to Israel because of a “clear risk” they may be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

The Foreign Office said a two-month internal review had raised concerns about the way Israel had conducted itself in the conflict in Gaza and that the decision specifically related to concerns around the treatment of Palestinian detainees and the supply of aid to Gaza.

No definitive conclusion has been reached about whether UK arms export licences have contributed to the destruction in the territory. But the scale of the devastation and the number of civilian deaths caused great concern, the Foreign Office said.

The suspension, which is likely to cause tensions with the US government, covers components for military aircraft, helicopters, drones and targeting equipment.

…

Article continues at Guardian: UK suspends 30 arms export licences to Israel after review 2nd September 2024

F-35 parts from UK continue to be supplied to Israel but diverted via the US.

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9964

UK arms exports to Israel

Research Briefing

Published Wednesday, 08 January, 2025

Mr Lammy also said the decision would not affect the F-35 programme that supplies aircraft to more than 20 countries (except where components go directly to Israel, which are included in the action). Mr Lammy said the global F-35 supply chain is “vital for the security of the UK, our allies and NATO”.

UK Foreign Minister David Lammy confirms that UK government and military are active participants in Israel’s genocides and that the F-35 parts that they suspended from supplying to Israel are instead simply diverted via the United States. He says see https://youtu.be/QILgUHrdWRE
UK Foreign Minister David Lammy confirms that UK government and military are active participants in Israel’s genocides and that the F-35 parts that they suspended from supplying to Israel are instead simply diverted via the United States. He says see https://youtu.be/QILgUHrdWRE
UK Labour Party government ministers Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves explain that they are partners complicit in Israel's Gaza genocide. The UK has provided Israel with arms, military and air force support. They explain that they don't do gas chambers but do do forced marches, starvation, destroy hospitals, mass-murders of journalists and healthcare workers.
UK Labour Party government ministers Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves explain that they are partners complicit in Israel’s Gaza genocide. The UK has provided Israel with arms, military and air force support. They explain that they don’t do gas chambers but do do forced marches, starvation, destroy hospitals, mass-murders of journalists and healthcare workers.
Continue ReadingApproved UK arms exports to Israel skyrocketed under Labour, data shows