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.
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.
Think we need evidence of food going into Gaza, Isreal can show that there is plenty of food if they wanted to.