Michael Madden

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

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.”