THE UK Government has been urged to “tell the truth” about its Cypriot RAF base’s involvement in moving weapons to Israel.
THE UK Government has been urged to “tell the truth” about its Cypriot RAF base’s involvement in moving weapons to Israel.It comes after research from the British Palestine Committee found Britain’s participation in Israel’s military activity in Gaza is “much deeper than has been acknowledged in most press coverage”.
Researcher Khem Rogaly told a press conference that one of the primary functions of RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus over 2024 was to be a “logistical supply point for US military cargo, weapons, going to Israel”.
He added that flight data from the last 14 months showed British and US military aircraft making frequent journeys from Israel to Akrotiri.
The Ministry of Defence did not respond to the reports, which featured in The National last month.
Now, independent MP and former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, who has long been vocal in support of Palestine, is calling for transparency.
The MP has written to the Government to confirm if the airbase was being used as a route for weapons to go to Israel to be deployed in Gaza, and to establish the number of US Air Force flights from RAF Akrotiri to Israel since October 7, 2023.
He also raised concerns after the UK Government refused to review Israel’s access to F-35 parts exported from the UK, despite evidence that the planes have been used to bomb “safe zones” in Gaza.
While the UK Government did block around 30 of the 350 arms export licenses to Israel amid fears over breaches of international law, it excluded components for F-35s.
“We deserve to know the full scale of our government’s complicity and participation in genocide,” Corbyn told Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer in a letter.
UK told to ‘tell the truth’ about Cyprus RAF base links to Israel
8th January
DAVID LAMMY
By Gregor Young
2 Comments
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks to soldiers at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus (Image: Kirsty Wigglesworth)
THE UK Government has been urged to “tell the truth” about its Cypriot RAF base’s involvement in moving weapons to Israel.
It comes after research from the British Palestine Committee found Britain’s participation in Israel’s military activity in Gaza is “much deeper than has been acknowledged in most press coverage”.
Researcher Khem Rogaly told a press conference that one of the primary functions of RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus over 2024 was to be a “logistical supply point for US military cargo, weapons, going to Israel”.
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He added that flight data from the last 14 months showed British and US military aircraft making frequent journeys from Israel to Akrotiri.
The Ministry of Defence did not respond to the reports, which featured in The National last month.
Now, independent MP and former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, who has long been vocal in support of Palestine, is calling for transparency.
The MP has written to the Government to confirm if the airbase was being used as a route for weapons to go to Israel to be deployed in Gaza, and to establish the number of US Air Force flights from RAF Akrotiri to Israel since October 7, 2023.
He also raised concerns after the UK Government refused to review Israel’s access to F-35 parts exported from the UK, despite evidence that the planes have been used to bomb “safe zones” in Gaza.
While the UK Government did block around 30 of the 350 arms export licenses to Israel amid fears over breaches of international law, it excluded components for F-35s.
“We deserve to know the full scale of our government’s complicity and participation in genocide,” Corbyn told Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer in a letter.
“I remain astounded by your government’s admission that it is making an exception to the UK’s legal obligations
“The Foreign Secretary has accepted the fact that F-35 jets are being used in violation of international humanitarian law. By justifying the continued licencing of F-35 jet parts, your government is admitting its complicity in war crimes.
“Is there anything the Israeli government could do that would compel the Government to suspend licences for F-35 jet parts?” he asked.
The MP went on: “The Government should also be aware that if it knowingly sends weapons to a government whose leader is wanted for war crimes, then it is not immune to the long arm of international law.”
The letter was sent on a day where Israeli air strikes killed at least five people in the Gaza strip, including two infants and a woman, Palestinian medics said
The Nationsl
