Clear risk of UK weaponry being used for war crimes

The guest article summarizes a redacted Pentagon audit that it says provides indisputable evidence of a 'clear risk' in US military aid to Israel since October 2023.

“Guest article by ‘Unruly Architect’ [Upscrolled/@CAAMH]– originally published in Spotlight newspaper – thanks to Koser Saeed for kind permission to repost”

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The audit states the Department of Defense 'did not properly track significant portions of the $13.4 billion' and was 'unable to track 42 deliveries totalling more than four million munitions.'

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It notes that Enhanced End-Use Monitoring (EEUM) was not conducted in Israel after October 2023, in breach of the Security Assistance Management Manual (SAMM).

The report warns that without effective accountability these EEUM defence articles could be misused or diverted and could have been acquired by adversaries in the region, reducing the technological advantage for the United States, partner nations, and allies.

A December 2025 Military Times report is cited as showing that the US had records for only about 44% of the defence articles that should have been subject to monitoring, down from 69% before the Gaza war, with investigators warning such lapses increase the risk of sensitive weapon technology falling into hostile hands.

The piece also notes that despite the admission of tracking failures, Trade Secretary Peter Kyle is continuing to press ahead with plans to restart arms exports to Israel.

F-35s, UK-made components, and licensing are presented as central to Israel's Gaza bombing campaign, according to the article.

Britain builds 15% of every F-35 fighter jet in the world, including rear fuselages made by BAE Systems in Samlesbury, Lancashire, and targeting lasers produced by Leonardo in Edinburgh, with these parts entering a US-managed pool and then being re-exported to Israel under special 'incorporation' licences.

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In September 2024, David Lammy suspended about 30 (out of 350) UK arms licences to Israel, following concerns over Israel's compliance with international humanitarian law, having identified a 'clear risk' of misuse in Gaza; Lammy exempted the F-35 licences, stating at the time that Britain 'cannot undermine the global supply chain vital for NATO security.'

The remaining 300+ licences supposedly did not raise concerns of 'clear risk'.

Under Section 5 of the Export Control Act 2002, ministers are required to refuse or suspend licences where there is a 'clear risk' that exported items might be used in serious violations of international humanitarian law.

The Campaign Against the Arms Trade (CAAT) has stated that supply chain issues are not a legitimate basis for a decision to grant an arms export licence, and points to the Netherlands' 2024 halt and 2025 embargo as evidence.

They argue the UK can act independently because the ATT/EU Common Position requires individual risk assessment and the UK Export Control Act overrides loyalty to NATO.

The International Court of Justice findings and the ICJP's Civil Society Statement are cited to pressure the UK, while four former senior British Army officers called on the government to impose a full arms embargo: Brigadier John Deverell, Major-General Andrew Graham, retired Major General Peter Currie, and Major General Charlie Herbert.

Zarah Sultana's Israeli Tax Authority data are cited, showing that since October 2023 the UK exported at least 150,000 bullets and 8,630 other munitions.

The piece notes that there has been no mainstream media coverage of these claims, despite the publicly reported data and rulings.

International law and accountability are framed as central to the debate, with the article citing court findings and legal duties to press for accountability.

“Guest article by ‘Unruly Architect’ [Upscrolled/@CAAMH]– originally published in Spotlight newspaper – thanks to Koser Saeed for kind permission to repost”

Real Media

The International Court of Justice found a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza and ordered provisional measures in 26 January 2024 to protect Palestinians from irreparable harm.

The ICJ's advisory opinion in October 2025 reinforced duties on states not to aid or assist serious breaches in the occupied Palestinian territory, and Genocide Convention Article I obliges a duty 'to prevent and to punish.'

The piece notes civil society responses, including ICJP's joint Civil Society Statement condemning the UK government's move to unblock arms licences and pointing to the F-35 carve-out, while highlighting Dutch actions—Netherlands halted F-35 exports in 2024 due to IHL concerns and continued an embargo in 2025 after a court review.

It also cites four former senior British Army officers who urged a complete embargo, warning of complicity in 'well-documented' war crimes.

The article suggests that despite these warnings and rulings, there has been little mainstream media coverage and that the government remains under scrutiny for its licensing stance.

WHAT YOU CAN DO section outlines calls for public pressure and provides practical steps to oppose licence reopenings and push for a full weapons embargo.

The UK government is portrayed as ignoring UK and international law, and the piece argues that mainstream media have remained silent on the issue.

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It urges readers to contact their MPs to oppose any reopening of licences, to back a full arms embargo, and to oppose trade that sustains illegal settlements.

The article provides a link to Find Your MP and a draft letter template that readers can personalise and send, instructing them to supply their name and address and to use the supplied subject line: 'URGENT – BLOCK ISRAEL ARMS LICENCE REOPENING: PENTAGON AUDIT PROVES TRACKING FAILURE.'

It also includes a detailed draft email for readers to personalise and send to their MP.