Legal challenge launched over alleged public funding of companies linked to IDF

A legal challenge has been launched in the Northern Ireland courts over the alleged state funding of companies linked to the provision of F-35 fighter jets to Israel.

Madden & Finucane Solicitors is acting in the judicial review proceedings lodged at the High Court in Belfast.

The proceedings allege that the Department for the Economy and Invest NI have provided funds to companies involved in the supply chain of components and/or equipment for F-35 fighter jets which could be used by Israel in Gaza.

Solicitor Michael Madden said: “Information obtained by our client raises serious concern that public funds may have been used to create parts for F-35 fighter jets which have been used to drop bombs in Gaza. This is upon the backdrop of the current UK rules which demand an immediate halt of all export licences for weapons to Israel.

“Our client seeks the court’s protection and scrutiny to stop any more public funds being used to create components or equipment that could be used by Israel to kill and injure civilians in Palestine.”

The applicant, an unnamed member of campaign group Cairde Palestine, added: “We cannot stand by while Israel continues to bomb and starve Palestinians.

“Invest NI is actively funding companies that may be contributing to the Israeli genocide.

“Through this legal action we hope to make the public aware of the extent to which taxpayer money may be funding the genocide and other war crimes committed by Israel.

“As a group, we stand against all forms of local collusion with the Israeli war machine.”

Meanwhile, a County Derry firm has repudiated reports that it has supplied components for Isreali fighter jets.

Castledawson's Moyola Precision Engineering manufactures a wide range of components, for various defence applications, including airframe parts for F-35 jets.

However Moyola Precision Engineering CEO, Mark Semple said his firm, “do not supply any Israeli companies with parts or services”.

He added: “Moyola has never received funding from Invest NI in support of the F-35 program either directly or indirectly.”

Mr Semple continued: “Over the years, Moyola has paid many times more corporation tax, employers’ national insurance and unrecoverable VAT than all grants received by Invest NI or other government bodies.

“We therefore refute any implication of excessive government support. Over the past four years, Moyola has doubled its turnover, invested over £6m in new technology and employed an additional 35 people, without capital grant support from Invest NI. To us, the lack of government support for this investment in growth is the story that matters."

A spokesperson for the Department for the Economy said: “Invest NI does not support projects that provide arms to Israel.”

A spokesperson for Invest NI said: “Invest NI does not comment on ongoing legal proceedings.”