LONDON

Pro-Palestine protesters disrupted UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds’ speech on Thursday, demanding an end to the sale of F-35 jet parts to Israel.

"Four hundred Palestinians killed last Tuesday, 200 children – one of the largest massacres of Palestinian children in history. And they're selling F-35 parts. Suspend the sales, all of them, all the parts," one protester shouted as he was removed by security.

Another demonstrator yelled: “Stop arming Israel,” “End the genocide,” and “Free Palestine,” accusing the UK government of complicity in war crimes.

The disruption took place while Reynolds was speaking at a global trade conference hosted by Chatham House in London.

According to reports, Reynolds responded to the protest.

"We have suspended arms exports to Israel. We haven't suspended F-35s because they're integral to our national security and particularly the defense of Ukraine,” he said.

Last September, the British government announced that it was suspending 30 out of 350 arms export licenses to Israel following a review that found a “clear risk” that some exports could be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law.

The 30 licenses cover components for military aircraft, helicopters, drones and items that facilitate ground targeting but exclude UK components for the F-35 fighter jet program.

F-35s are manufactured by US defense company Lockheed Martin, but several components – including rear fuselages, batteries, ejector seats and actuators – are produced in the UK.

According to Amnesty International, Israel has used F-35 jets in its bombardment of Palestinians in Gaza. Last month, more than 230 global civil society organizations called on governments producing F-35 fighter jets to immediately halt all arms transfers to Israel.

More than 50,200 Palestinians killed

The Israeli army launched a surprise aerial campaign on the Gaza Strip on March 18, killing 855 people, injuring nearly 1,900 others, and shattering a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that took hold in January.

The UN estimated that around 124,000 Palestinians have been displaced again since Israel resumed its attacks on Gaza.

Since October 2023, more than 50,200 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and over 113,900 injured in the Israeli military onslaught on Gaza.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.