The documents, which were obtained by the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) under the Freedom of Information Act, showed that the weapons used by Israel against Gaza contain British-made components.
They also revealed that arms export licences worth more than $70 million (£42 million) have been granted to 130 British defense manufacturers since 2010 to sell military equipment to Israel.
Among the manufacturers are two UK companies supplying components for the Hermes drone, described by Israel as the “backbone” of its missions.
- The Hermes drone is one of the most widely used drones by the Israeli army, particularly in the Gaza Strip.
Other UK suppliers include BAE Systems, which provided head-up display units for U.S.-built F16s delivered to Israel prior to 2002.
The company said it has not supplied equipment to Israel since then and that additional head-up displays were provided by a domestic manufacturer.
- The documents also revealed that dozens of highly specialized UK defense companies have secured deals with Israeli partners and the Israeli military.
Government reaction
Following the worsening situation in Gaza, the British Government is reconsidering its arms sales with Israel.“We are currently reviewing all existing export licences to Israel. All applications for export licences are assessed on a case by case basis against strict criteria. We will not issue a licence if there is a clear risk that the equipment might be used for internal repression, or if there is a clear risk that it would provoke or prolong conflict,” the government said in a statement.
It is not the first time that Britain is facing such accusations.
- In 2009, the Foreign Secretary David Miliband said that some of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) equipment used in Gaza that year had “almost certainly” contained British-supplied components.
Last Update: Saturday, 2 August 2014 KSA 09:59 - GMT 06:59
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/08/02/Britain-participates-in-arming-Israel.html
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Statement by President Barroso and President Van Rompuy in the name of the European Union on the situation in Gaza...
ReplyDeleteGaza has been suffering from intolerable violence for more than three weeks already. We deplore the terrible loss of lives, including innocent women and children. Many have been injured, property and livelihoods have been destroyed. This needs to stop immediately. We strongly condemn continued rocket fire over Israel. It constitutes an unacceptable threat to its citizens. Israel has the right to live in peace in its recognised borders. Legitimate defence needs to maintain proportionality. We have all seen these cycles in the past and we know that there are limits regarding what military operations can achieve. Only a negotiated solution, based on two States, living side by side and respectful of each other, will bring lasting peace. The bloodshed needs to stop. Today we join our voice to those of the Secretary General of the United Nations and other international leaders that are calling on both sides to put an end to hostilities. We are ready to support actively negotiations, confidence building measures, reconstruction and reconciliation efforts. No more lives should be wasted. Palestinian and Israeli leaders need to exercise courage by putting an end to this senseless violence. They also need to exercise courage and wisdom to move beyond these cycles of violence and advance towards arrangements that will ensure peaceful and dignified coexistence, based on mutual respect.
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-14-247_en.htm?locale=en
3/8/14