Must Listen

Must Read

What Art Thinks

Pre-Millennialism

Today's Headlines

  • Sorry... Not Available
Man blowing a shofar

Administrative Area





Locally Contributed...

Audio

Video

Special Interest

Daily News
7050
“UK cuts Israel weapons contracts”
by BBC News   
July 14th, 2009

The UK has revoked five export licences for equipment to the Israeli navy because of actions during Israel's Operation Cast Lead in Gaza this year.

The British Foreign office said the exports would now contravene its criteria for arms sales, but denied that it had imposed a partial embargo.

The UK says it does not sell weapons which might be used for internal repression or external aggression.

Israel says its troops complied fully with international law during missions.

The 22-day operation which ended on 18 January has been widely condemned as disproportionate by critics.

Israeli air strike near Rafah, 13.01.09
UK sued over Israel arms sales
Amnesty details Gaza 'war crimes'
Israelis followed law in Gaza

The British government has been challenged by human rights groups and members of the UK parliament over concerns raised by Amnesty International that British-made equipment was used illegally in Gaza.

Amnesty says both Israel and Hamas committed war crimes during the conflict.

In April, the British government issued a statement saying it had not contravened its own guidelines, which it described as "stringent", but said it was was reviewing existing licences.

On Monday, the Foreign Office said in a statement that it had conducted the review, and found "in a small number of cases Israeli action in Cast Lead would result in the export of those goods now contravening the… criteria".

An unnamed Israeli official said five of 35 contracts for naval equipment had been cancelled.

Media reports quoted Israeli officials as saying these all related to the Saar 4.5 gunboat.

go back button