British Business and Trade Minister Jonathan Reynolds faced a heated disruption at a think tank event in London as pro-Palestinian activists stormed the stage, demanding an end to UK arms sales to Israel. The incident occurred at Chatham House, where Reynolds was set to speak on trade policy before being interrupted by protesters accusing the British government of complicity in war crimes. London for a Free Palestine, one of the groups organizing a demonstration outside the event, claimed responsibility for the on-stage protest, stating it was part of ongoing efforts to pressure the UK government into halting all arms exports to Israel, particularly components for F-35 fighter jets. “They have not stopped the trade in F-35s,” one protester shouted, while another accused the government of aiding genocide. Reynolds, remaining composed in his seat, responded by stating that Britain has suspended arms exports to Israel. He cited a decision made in September, when the government froze 30 of its 350 arms export licenses to Israel. However, he acknowledged that parts for F-35 jets were largely exempt from the suspension, as restricting those exports would disrupt the aircraft’s global supply chain. “We haven’t suspended F-35s because they’re integral to our national security and particularly the defense of Ukraine,” Reynolds told the protesters. Following the protest, Reynolds reiterated to the audience that the exemption had been publicly disclosed in Parliament. He defended the government’s stance, saying, “Specifically on arms exports, we have a very stringent regime which we have applied as a government, and that has led to restrictions, particularly in relation to arms exports to Israel.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)