In a letter dated 1 May 2025, Luke Pollard MP, Minister for the Armed Forces, addressed Shockat Adam MP regarding concerns raised during the Westminster Hall debate on “Military Collaboration with Israel.”
The letter, now deposited in the House of Commons Library, outlines the UK’s stance on military cooperation with Israel, adherence to international law, training and assistance activity, and export licences.
Pollard began by reiterating the UK government’s commitment to international law, emphasising that the UK does not support a return to fighting and urges all parties to resume talks, implement the ceasefire agreement, and pursue a long-term peace process aimed at a two-state solution. He stated: “The remaining hostages must be released and the way to return them safely is through a deal. A negotiated solution and a political horizon towards a two-state solution will, over time, ensure the long-term peace and security of both Palestinians and Israelis.”
The letter addressed specific concerns raised by Adam regarding military collaboration between the UK and Israel, focusing on adherence to international law. Pollard clarified that the UK supports Israel’s right to self-defence in accordance with international law and remains committed to an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The government is considering the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion with the seriousness it deserves and maintains that Israel should end its presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories as swiftly as possible.
Regarding Ministry of Defence (MOD) training and assistance activities with Israel, Pollard noted that the MOD follows the Overseas Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA) policy to ensure defence engagement aligns with human rights obligations. These assessments are under constant review. On the specific issue of the use of UK overseas bases by foreign military aircraft, Pollard reiterated that, for operational security reasons, the MOD neither confirms nor denies any such movements.
On the matter of export licences, Pollard highlighted that the UK has robust criteria to prevent the export of items that could be used to violate International Humanitarian Law. Following a review ordered by the Foreign Secretary in July 2024, the UK suspended certain export licences to Israel where there was a clear risk of their use in violating humanitarian laws. He clarified that there are no current licences for these items, with exceptions specifically outlined for the global F-35 programme.
Pollard concluded by expressing the government’s commitment to upholding international law while balancing the need for defence cooperation. He stated: “I hope this is helpful and explains our position on these issues.”
Image Jerry Gunner, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Are there many Palestinians in Adams constituency?
Or is he just upholding the wider Muslim vs Jewish norm.
Whenever these articles appear, I look at who’s asking.
Explains a lot.
Option 3: as stated he’s concerned that British supplied weapons may be used in breaking the ceasefire and to kill civilians.
So, not his constituents. But an underlining anti Israel agenda, despite this sort of question having been asked many times, judging by the similar articles on UKDJ over the years about it where HMG have repeatedly provided an answer.
What weapons have the UK supplied, anyway? I thought Israel was mostly self or US supplied?
Where does this end?
How many other nations have used weapons we have supplied elsewhere, and is there a lobby about that too? Saudi Yemen springs to mind.
Do French versions of our MPs do the same? Indian? Saudi? Russian? US?
Or is it in reality a Corbyn anti zionist thing? With whom, reading Adams political history, he’s repeatedly in alliance with.
I find it interesting that we don’t hear him lambasting Egypt, and other nations, for refusing the Palestinians access. Which then leaves them vulnerable in the ongoing Hamas Israeli combat.
Now why is that?
I suggest that is the main underlying motive remains anti Israel.
Adam I suggest would have no qualms at all about the impact on the UK armed forces if Israel had decided to retaliate in kind re the export licences mentioned which were revoked in 2024, given the amount of Israeli high tech we use which they supply.
But then again, I have my own idea as to where his true loyalties lie.
Just for balance, I support Palestine being an independent state, with Palestinians living in it.
The Israeli company Raphael manufacture the active protection system “Trophy” which is to be fitted to the CH3 as part of the upgrade. Apparently, it weighs half a ton
Experience in the Gaza conflict has shown that Trophy can be defeated by an RPG fired at 50m range, so it’s not a perfect system. Hamas have claimed that a drone fired down directly above the turret is not detected. On the other hand, Trophy radar can almost instantly identify the location of an enemy firing point and this information can be rapidly provided to other supporting units through digital links.
The true test is the difference in combat survival of Israeli MBTs before active defence systems and after.. in the Israel lost a lot of MBTs to soviet anti tank missiles before trophy and in it’s conflicts after it lost far less.
As an example during operation protective edge in 2014 the Israelis lost no MBTs in weeks of intensive urban conflict with trophy working dozens of times. Yet in 2006 in Lebanon Israel lost 20 tanks to Russian anti tank missiles.
In reality a modern MBT needs an active defence systems against heavy anti tank missiles and top attack missiles and drones as well as ECM against drones and heavy armour.
You remember that Rafael acquired Pearson Engineering at 2022? so it’s invested in the UK together with Elbit Systems there is quite a presence with development and manufacturing creating jobs and expertise
I think there are certainly some Congress members who ask these questions 20 or so in Dec signed a letter in opposition. I may be wrong but I even think Taylor Greene has been scathing, certainly skeptical about it as part of her anti US foreign engagement but then she is equally deeply anti Semitic as well as isolationist. I would equally be surprised if Muslim elected members in France don’t express their deep concerns.
Mate he has an anti Israel agenda and has already penciled a motion to recognise the state of Palestine. Not worried about Immigration, cost of living, gas/electric price increases, infrastructure issues, council tax increases, war in Ukraine, defence of the UK, blah blah but whines about Palestine and blatantly anti Israel and anti semitic, no matter what chuff he or his office puts out.
Exactly.
I was concerned to hear that Israel may or may not be using be using uk sovereign airbases. I wonder what options there might be there Cyprus? As there was a case of an unexplained drone attack on a charity aid ship not that far from Cyprus clearly one has to at least ask the question in light of what this article says, as how drones got there was questioned or whether they were released from a transport aircraft. Probably coincidence but I assumed, and it may be the case I don’t know, that Cyprus wasn’t open to other operational forces but as I say I simply don’t know.
Why would Israel use Cyprus when it has several airbases of it’s own in it’s own sovereign territory?
No he isn’t.
I think we import more tech from Israel than export..could go as far as saying the phone I’m typing this message on now is reliant on israeli tech..
I am sure that the MP is all about promoting the well being of the good people of Leicester South and not acting automatically as a member of the radical branch based on his origin while undermining the UK economic and defense interests… but I could be wrong
Logically, restricting weapons sales to Israel in an attempt to affect the latter’s behaviour would not be an effective approach as long as Israel was readily able to source its requirements from elsewhere (i.e. the US). All it does is reduce our market share and thus damage our economy.
Even the US is flipping on Israel
Well for Trump whoever makes the biggest orders for US generated goods will gain the greatest influence Qatar’s buy of 160 Boeing jets will have considerable effect on Trumps condemnations of them being a terrorist supporting State. I’m sure there will be some form of compensation to ease them away from Iran that will be far less public. And then as Syria has offered a Trump Tower suddenly they are his newest best mates in the fold of ass Kissinger States. Oh and apparently if we want a serious trade deal we will have to buy American over Chinese goods…. How the hell would Starmer carry that out I wonder even if he’s tempted. I’m sure Farage would find it an offer he couldn’t refuse and sell it to the plebs with similar bs to Trump like black is actually white on costs.
Think we need evidence of food going into Gaza, Isreal can show that there is plenty of food if they wanted to.
They don’t though. Now that Trump wants a Trump Tower inn Gaza they are happily trying to bring it about. Only a matter of time before the religious
-zealots start to cross the border to set up settlements I fear and the clearing will begin.
Just a reminder that yesterday they bombed the European hospital in Gaza because they thought Sinwar the leader was there. They struck with a bunker buster and killed 45 civilians many women and children. Sinwar still alive
Isn’t Sinwar dead?
Mohammad Sinwar, the new leader is alive, Yahya Sinwar the old one is dead
With luck and good tactics they can kill the new head shed terrorist Sinwar or whatever his name is, ASP.
Guss 45 was the number supplied by Hamas? anyway as far as I know according to international law any building that is used for military purposes losses its immunity no matter if its a hospital and Hamas does have records of using Hospitals as command centers, there can’t be a safe haven for terrorists
Plenty of Israeli terrorists of course including the PM, now and historically, but to the blind and soulless they don’t matter I fear. Moral foreign policies are tricky at the best of times but ignoring mass murder is too much for my stomach thanks.
Mass murder? this is a war that Hamas started with no provocation, now they hide behind civilians, shooting and than crying, well seems that human shields are not the best shield after all, still Hamas has one hope to survive and its people like you who accept their propaganda as facts
spoken like a true terrorist
Yaaaaaaaawn grow up.
45 has been verified by independent organisations yes, no!