Akrotiri, Cyprus. Former UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said the UK base in Akrotiri is being used as “a way station for the delivery of weapons to Israel” and warned that Cyprus is becoming increasingly involved in the Middle East conflict.
Remarks at Akel-hosted event
Corbyn made the remarks during a “study day” hosted by Akel for European left-wing political parties. He said, “What we need is full support for the right of the Palestinian people to live freely, an end to the Israeli occupation, the condemnation of the genocide for what it really is, and practical solidarity with the people of Palestine.”
Criticism of EU defence spending
Corbyn criticised European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, saying that under her leadership, the European Union has made “huge spending on armaments” and overseen “a large increase in the share prices of arms industries due to ongoing wars”.
Calls for release of flight footage
His comments came a month after Steve Masters, who served in the RAF as a technician for 19 years, demanded the UK government “release the footage” of flights launched from Akrotiri over Gaza. The flights were alleged to have gathered intelligence that was shared with Israel.
“The continuing blockage of that footage to the public does nothing to quell the suspicion that we are materially aiding a genocide,” Masters said, adding that “there is a need for them to be held accountable, and if that means going to the Hague, so be it”.
Asked whether he believes intelligence from those flights may have been shared with Israel and used to target civilians, Masters said, “I don’t think that’s a stretch of anybody’s imagination.”
Corbyn’s previous statements on the base
Corbyn has previously asked, “what is the purpose, the point of this base other than to support Israel in its illegal occupation of the West Bank and its continued … bombardment of Gaza?”
He said last year that he was “concerned” that the bases “are being used as an intermediary point in flights to Israel by British, and I suspect American planes as well, and are being used for surveillance under Gaza”.
What do you think the UK government should do about calls to release footage of flights launched from Akrotiri over Gaza?