Lawyers seeking UK arms export ban submit claims of Israeli crimes

Lawyers seeking an order to prevent the UK government continuing to grant export licences to firms selling arms to Israel have submitted claims of Palestinians being tortured and in grave danger from Israeli bombardment. 

The Guardian reported on Monday that 14 witness statements, covering over 100 pages, had come from Palestinian and western doctors working in Gaza hospitals, ambulance drivers, civil defence workers and aid workers. They stated that Palestinians have been tortured, left untreated in hospital and have been unable to escape Israeli bombardment. 

The case was brought forward by several NGOs, including Al-Haq, Amnesty International, Oxfam and Global Legal Action Network (GLAN). 

One of the witnesses, Canadian kidney specialist Ben Thomson, said he treated a 60-year-old who was stripped naked by Israeli forces, had his wrists bound tightly for three days and was dragged on the floor. 

"Every part of the healthcare system has been targeted and destroyed and is now completely incapable of providing care. So many people are dying from issues that are completely treatable," Thomson said. 

The previous Conservative government said there was insufficient risk that UK weapons were being used in war crimes. The current Labout administration is currently reviewing arms export licences.