Israel arms sales protest interrupts UK trade minister event

Jonathan Reynolds, Britain's Secretary of State for Business and Trade arrives for a cabinet meeting in Downing Street, London, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (AP)

• One protester accused the government of being complicit in genocide
• Responding to the protest, Reynolds said Britain had suspended arms exports to Israel

LONDON: British business and trade minister Jonathan Reynolds was on Thursday interrupted by two protesters opposing arms sales to Israel who stormed the stage as he was about to speak at a think-tank event on trade.
“They have not stopped the trade in F-35s,” one individual shouted, referring to F-35 fighter jets. One protester accused the government of being complicit in genocide.
Responding to the protest, Reynolds said Britain had suspended arms exports to Israel.
“We haven’t suspended F-35s because they’re integral to our national security and particularly the defense of Ukraine,” he said.