Why did we shut down the Department of Business & Trade?

Our May Day action saw hundreds of workers blockading the entrances to this major government department. Here’s why.

The UK and Israel have a mutually lucrative trade relationship currently worth £7 billion. The Department of Business and Trade (DBT) undertake the behind the scenes administrative processes
of genocide and warfare, and aid the economic growth of Israel.
The DBT directly contributes to – and profits from – settler colonialism and genocide in Palestine.

Since 2015, the government has issued 1,250 standard licences for at least £489 million worth of military exports to Israel.

The DBT aids UK co-operation with Israel by advising on how UK companies can increase efficiency in Israeli manufacturing.

UK arms manufacturers have had a hand in 15% of every F-35 that Israel has received since 2016, worth at least £368 million.

The Government also issued 61 unlimited-value open licences to Israel during this period, allowing companies to have near-unrestricted ability to sell arms and military technology to Israel.

The Department of Business and Trade continues to hold firm that it will provide “trade and investment services and practical support” for Israeli companies’ investment in the UK and the UK’s investment in Israel. Government officials argue that this £7 billion relationship is “strategic”.

Civil servants in the Department of Business and Trade have requested to cease work immediately on arms export licences to Israel and their union, PCS, is considering bringing legal action to prevent their members from being forced to carry out unlawful acts which contribute to war crimes in Gaza.

We demand an arms embargo.

This includes an end to licensing of of all military exports, including private manufactures. No more repairing and servicing arms, no more military support to Israel, no more surveillance flights over Gaza, and no more allowing US military aid flows through British air force bases.

If arms company bosses and Britain’s political elite won’t impose an arms embargo, we, the workers, will continue enforcing it from below. Join us!