LAWYERS have submitted a formal complaint asking the Metropolitan Police’s counterterrorism unit to investigate current and former directors of Elbit Systems UK for complicity in war crimes.

The Public Interest Law Centre (PILC), with the support of the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), has asked the force to look into four British nationals who have led the weapons manufacturer at various points since the start of the genocide in Gaza.

Their request was prompted by recent reports that key decision-makers within the government have privately recognised serious crimes and breaches of international law took place in Palestine.

Leaked private messages dating back to 2025 showed Health Secretary Wes Streeting saying he believed the Israel was “committing war crimes before our eyes.”

“Israel’s genocide in Gaza would not be possible without Elbit Systems,” a CAAT spokesperson said.

“Elbit Systems is Israel’s largest arms producer, and Israel is the single largest market for Elbit’s products. It provides 85 per cent of the combat drones used by the Israeli military.”

The PILC’s complaint was submitted under the International Criminal Court Act 2001 (ICCA) on behalf of a Palestinian national in Britain whose family members still live in Gaza.

It asked the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command (SO15) to examine decisions made by Elbit and any of its subsidiaries in Britain which could amount to aiding, abetting or assisting violations in international humanitarian law.

Citing evidence from UN bodies, international courts, human rights organisations and open-source investigations, lawyers claimed the Met has reasonable grounds to investigate the company for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

A PILC spokesperson said: “Our client has watched from the UK as her community in Gaza was destroyed. She has witnessed her loved ones and countless others subjected to mass killings, displacement, starvation and devastation on an unimaginable scale.

“Whether the Met chooses to investigate this complaint will show whether the ICC Act 2001 is worth the paper it’s written on.

“A proper investigation, using all powers to obtain evidence and determining whether prosecutions are possible, is the bare minimum required of a state that purports to respect international law and the Genocide Convention.”

Elbit Systems and the Met Police have been asked for comment.