Latest news with #Glan
Middle East Eye
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
High Court rejects challenge to export of UK-made F-35 parts to Israel
The High Court has rejected the challenge brought by rights groups which sought to halt the export of British-made F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel following a 20-month court battle. In a 72-page ruling released on Monday, Lord Justice Males and Mrs Justice Steyn said that the case was narrowly focused on whether the court could rule that the UK "must withdraw from a specific multilateral defence collaboration" considered vital by ministers to the defence of the UK because some UK-made parts might be supplied to Israel and used in serious violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza. "Under our constitution that acutely sensitive and political issue is a matter for the executive which is democratically accountable to Parliament and ultimately to the electorate, not for the courts," they found. Middle East Eye understands that the groups who brought the case plan to appeal. The case was first initiated by the UK-based Global Legal Action Network (Glan) and Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq in late October 2023, soon after Israel launched an attack on Gaza following the Hamas-led attacks in Israel earlier that month. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Under the Tory government, UK arms exports to Israel continued without any apparent change, despite concerns raised as early as November 2023 by the Foreign Office unit assessing Israel's compliance with international humanitarian law. Last September, the newly elected Labour government suspended around 30 export licenses for UK-made arms after the government assessed there was a clear risk the items could be used in Gaza in serious violations of international humanitarian law. The licensing of UK-made F-35 components exported directly to Israel were suspended, but parts sent to a global F-35 programme spare parts pool which could end up in Israel were exempted, leaving the court case to shift focus onto the parts. UK-made F-35 components make up 15 percent of every F-35, one of the world's most sophisticated fighter jets which Israel has used extensively in its campaign in Gaza, as well as in Lebanon and more recently in Iran. The government had argued that there was no way the UK could unilaterally halt the export of UK-made parts without impacting the worldwide fleet of F-35s and threatening global peace and security. Glan and Al-Haq, and three British human rights organisations which are parties to the case, argued that under the Arms Trade Treaty and the Genocide Convention, the UK, as a state party to both, is obligated to stop sending the parts and that, by failing to follow its obligations, is threatening the rule of law globally. More than 56,500 people have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, with 133,419 wounded, according to the Gaza health ministry.
Middle East Eye
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
High Court ruling expected in UK arms to Israel challenge
The British High Court is expected to deliver a verdict on Monday morning in the legal challenge over the UK government's continued supply of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel. The ruling in the case brought by the UK-based Global Legal Action Network (Glan) and Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq is the most anticipated in the arms control community since the government was taken to court over its arms sales to Saudi Arabia during its bombing campaign in the Yemen war. The challenge over UK arms exports to Israel was first filed in late October 2023, soon after Israel launched an attack on Gaza following the Hamas-led attacks in Israel earlier in the month. Under the Tory government, UK arms exports to Israel continued without any apparent change, despite concerns raised as early as November 2023 by the Foreign Office unit assessing Israel's compliance with international humanitarian law. Last September, the newly elected Labour government suspended around 30 export licenses for UK-made arms that the government assessed could be used in Gaza. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The legal case then shifted to focus on the UK-made F-35 fighter jet parts sent to a global F-35 programme spare parts pool which the government exempted from suspension. UK-made F-35 components make up 15 percent of every F-35, one of the world's most sophisticated fighter jets which Israel has used extensively in its campaign in Gaza, as well as in Lebanon and more recently in Iran. Israeli and US officials concerned Trump could push F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia Read More » The government has argued that there is no way the UK could unilaterally halt the export of UK-made parts without impacting the worldwide fleet of F-35s and threatening global peace and security. Glan and Al-Haq, and three British human rights organisations which are parties to the case, argue that under the Arms Trade Treaty and the Genocide Convention, the UK, as a state party to both, is obligated to stop sending the parts and that, by failing to follow its obligations, is threatening the rule of law globally. The ruling is expected to appear online on the National Archives website at 10:30am.
The National
12-06-2025
- Business
- The National
Airbnb faces legal action over listings in illegal Israeli settlements
The three groups – Global Legal Action Network (Glan), Sadaka and Al-Haq – have launched the co-ordinated action against Airbnb's Irish and UK subsidiaries, as well as its US parent company. Glan and Al-Haq filed a criminal complaint with the UK's National Crime Agency over the company's UK subsidary, accusing Airbnb of alleged money laundering in connection with its collection of payments for accommodation in the Israeli settlements. READ MORE: UK Government accused of 'actively participating in genocide' by training IDF In the US, an attorney for Glan has sent a "preservation letter" to Airbnb's parent company, instructing it to preserve documents relevant to Airbnb's involvement in the settlements. The move could support action being taken in the UK, and in Ireland by Sadaka, which is challenging a decision taken by Irish police not to investigate Airbnb Ireland and its senior executives for what it says is alleged criminal involvement in Israeli settlements. According to an investigation by the Guardian earlier this year, there are more than 300 accommodations listed in illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, with a third of all Airbnbs in the West Bank located in settlements. Airbnb is also listed on the United Nations' Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) database of businesses involved in activities in Israeli settlements in the OPT. In July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory is illegal, and that all states must prevent trade or investment that support the occupation. An Airbnb spokesperson told The National that the company operates "in compliance with applicable laws in Ireland, the UK and the US". They added: "Since 2019, Airbnb has donated all profits generated from host activity in the West Bank to an international nonprofit, in line with our global framework on disputed territories." READ MORE: Convoy of 1500 arrives in Libya en route to Gaza to break Israel's blockade on aid The company's response was criticised by Ashish Prashar, a former advisor to the Middle East Peace Envoy now working as a special adviser to Glan on Palestine. Prashar condemned Airbnb's use of the words "disputed territories" when discussing Israeli settlements, saying it "undermines Palestinian sovereignty and reinforces the Israeli occupation of the land". He told The National: "It actively supports the cruel domination of the Palestinian people, which is a clear breach of international law." Prashar said that the groups believe they will be successful, adding: "It's a very strong case which could set a precedent with major global consequences for businesses with direct and indirect ties to Israeli settlements. "It could lead to a full BDS [Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions] moment where it's safer for companies who don't want to be charged with war crimes or executives charged with war crimes, to actually withdraw, not just from the Occupied Territories or from Israel, but from doing any business with Israel because it could be illegal in any possible way." READ MORE: 'Absurdity' of UK position on Israel while still supplying arms called out by SNP MP Glan senior laywer, Gerry Liston, commented: 'These are the first ever cases to apply anti-money laundering legislation to business activity in the illegal Israeli settlements. "They demonstrate that individual senior executives of companies profiting from Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory face a personal risk of prosecution for a very serious criminal offence.' Shawan Jabarin, general director of Al-Haq, said: "At a time when we are witnessing genocide in Palestine, businesses like Airbnb are providing services that deny the Palestinian people their means of subsistence, threatening the viability of the group. "Following the finding by the International Court of Justice, that Israel's occupation is illegal, business activities trading in goods and services that maintain the illegal occupation, must come to an end – i.e., those located in the OPT, including the settlements, and in Israel. "It is time to end Israel's impunity and take action.'
Middle East Eye
10-06-2025
- Business
- Middle East Eye
Rights groups accuse Airbnb over listings in illegal Israeli settlements
Rights groups have called for the UK's National Crime Agency to investigate Airbnb over alleged money laundering offences they say it may have committed by listing holiday properties in Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories. Airbnb, according to two legal organisations which have brought the complaint, may have violated laws that make it an offence to handle money and property knowingly derived from criminal acts through its more than 300 listings in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. On Tuesday, the organisations - the UK-based Global Legal Action Network (Glan) and Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq - announced that they have filed a criminal complaint with the National Crime Agency over Airbnb's UK subsidiary. Airbnb is currently listed in the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights' database of businesses involved in activities in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the occupied Syrian Golan Heights. The filed complaint, one of several coordinated efforts announced on Tuesday, comes after the International Court of Justice July 2024 ruling that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory is illegal. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters 'At a time when we are witnessing genocide in Palestine, businesses like Airbnb are providing services that deny the Palestinian people their means of subsistence, threatening the viability of the group,' said Shawan Jabarin, general director of Al-Haq. 'Following the finding by the International Court of Justice, that Israel's occupation is illegal, business activities trading in goods and services that maintain the illegal occupation, must come to an end.' In 2018, following a Human Rights Watch report which said that Airbnb's listings in settlements were unlawful under international humanitarian law, the company said it would remove listings in the settlements. But the company decision was reversed after legal action was brought in the US by hosts and guests of the listed properties, with Airbnb saying it would donate all proceeds from the rentals to humanitarian organisations. A spokesperson for Airbnb said on Tuesday that the company operates "in compliance with applicable Irish and US laws". "Since 2019, Airbnb has donated all profits generated from host activity in the West Bank to an international nonprofit, in line with our global framework on disputed territories," the spokesperson said. In addition to the complaint filed in the UK, Glan has also filed a legal challenge at Ireland's High Court after the Irish police refused to investigate the role of Airbnb Ireland in facilitating the listings of settlements. Additionally, Glan has sent a 'preservation letter' to Airbnb's parent company, the first step in proceedings under the US Foreign Legal Assistance statute which allow for the discovery of documents to support the Irish and UK actions. Glan senior lawyer Gerry Liston said: 'These are the first ever cases to apply anti-money laundering legislation in the UK and elsewhere to business activity in the illegal Israeli settlements. "They demonstrate that senior executives of companies profiting from Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory risk prosecution for a very serious criminal offence.'
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Church van driver accused of sexually abusing a disabled woman
Lackawanna County detectives charged a Scranton man Thursday with engaging in sexual activity with a mentally disabled woman while transporting her in a church van. In April, the Lackawanna County district attorney's office launched an investigation based on cyber tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited children alleging Tara Glan had sex with a mentally disabled woman for about two years beginning when she was 16. Glan was a van driver for the Ray of Hope Church in Taylor at the time of the alleged illegal sexual activity. He also ran church youth groups there, according to a criminal complaint. The detectives say the woman was not capable of giving consent. The alleged abuse took place between July 2021 and July 2023, according to the criminal complaint. Glan, 22, of 844 Madison Ave., is facing felony charges of rape of a disabled person, forcing a disabled person to perform oral sex and aggravated assault. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on May 21 before District Judge Paul Ware. According to the criminal complaint: Investigators obtained a copy of the woman's Independent Education Program plan, also known as an 'IEP,' which indicated she had an intellectual disability rendering her incapable of consenting to sexual activity. At 19, the woman still receives daily assistance and is under the supervision of others, officers said. When interviewed, the woman said that, when she was 16, Glan was giving her a ride home in the church van when he pulled the vehicle over and told her to get in the backseat, and she complied. When asked if she wanted to have sex, the victim told Glan 'no,' according to the complaint. The woman said Glan forced her to have sex even after she told him to stop. She also recalled Glan forcing her to perform oral sex on him. The woman told police Glan had also assaulted her on New Year's Eve at church, making her pull her pants down and forcing himself on her. When the woman told Glan he was hurting her, he stopped. She said she had been alone with Glan at that event only because he had asked for her help in cleaning up the Sunday School classroom. The woman estimated Glan had assaulted her about eight times. She said she had stopped wanting to go to youth group but her mother forced her to go. She told investigators Glan would give her a ride home from church in the van, dropping off all of the other riders before her and then sexually assaulting her. On May 8, investigators interviewed Glan at Lackawanna County Prison. He admitted to having sex with the disabled woman at the church and in the church van. When asked why, he said, 'Because that's the only girl I ever met with that would actually do something sexually wise with me.'
