I am writing to commend Damien Gayle’s article (Charges dropped over protest at Israeli military drones factory in UK, 23 November). It is important to document campaigns against the arms trade going on in the UK, as a necessary extension of war reporting in places like Palestine, Yemen and Iraq when companies based in the UK are supplying arms and equipment for these murderous conflicts, and where evidence of war crimes is regularly exposed. The arms trade is deeply unpopular with many people while at the same time fulfilling a major role in the UK economy. It should be subject to the same standards of rigorous reporting as other sectors of the economy, regardless of the vested interests and strategic military considerations that allow the trade to continue, despite all the evidence of weapons and equipment being used to commit war crimes. John TymonLondon• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters

Source: The Guardian November 27, 2017 18:56 UTC