James Cropper plc continuing to arm Israel

Information released this week by the Department for Business and Trade shows that James Cropper plc, based in Burneside, continues to produce and export material for the F-35 warplane. Israel's F-35 warplanes have been used against civilians in Gaza, as well as in attacks on Lebanon, Syria and Iran. During 2025, the company used an Open General Export Licence 13 times to export material for this most controversial part of the arms trade.

This new data has been released in the same week that an ⁠independent UN inquiry has found that Israel continues to commit genocide by deliberately targeting Palestinian children in Gaza.

F-35 warplanes have been used extensively by Israel in the war on Gaza - which has killed more than 70,000 people, including at least 20,000 children. In one documented attack on civilians in Al-Mawasi in southern Gaza, bombs dropped by Israeli F-35s killed 90 people and injured at least 300.

United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, has highlighted the role of the F-35 warplane in Israel's "economy of genocide". She points out that all companies whose activities, products or services are linked to armed conflict, occupation and other instances of widespread violence, must use their position in the supply chain to prevent or reduce the impact on human rights.

The Paper Not Planes campaign is continuing to call on James Cropper plc to end its role in producing and exporting material that is used in warplanes. Stepping away from the export of materials for the F-35 would have an enormous symbolic impact. We believe that this local company should return to making beautiful paper, not materials for war and destruction. We want local industry that we can be proud of.

Notes:

• The data on arms exports was revealed as a result of a Freedom of Information request made by the Paper not Planes campaign. It shows which companies have used, or intended to use ‘Open General Export Licence (exports in support of joint strike fighter: F-35 Lightning II)’ during 2025: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/use_of_ogel_for_f35_in_2025

• James Cropper plc subsidiary Technical Fibre Products ltd. (now operating under the name "James Cropper Advanced Materials") used - or intended to use - the license 13 times during 2025.

• Technical Fibre Products Ltd. exported this material to the United States, where they enter the supply chain for the F-35. This material could be incorporated into warplanes destined for any of the countries which have purchased the F-35, including Israel.

• The "usage count" figures could refer to number of times the license has been used, or the number of individual items being exported.

• The data also shows which companies have surrendered their registration to the license.