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Britain has suspended a number of arms export licences to Israel following concerns about the use of UK-supplied equipment in the offensive against Gaza.
The move, which officials insisted did not amount to a partial embargo, came after a review of all export licences to the country ordered by Foreign Secretary David Miliband in the wake of the conflict.
"We reassessed these licences against the UK and EU consolidated criteria," a Foreign Office spokesman said.
"We judged that in a small number of cases Israeli action in Cast Lead (the code name for the operation) would result in the export of those goods now contravening the consolidated criteria.
"These licences have been revoked. This is standard practice: a number of licences to both Russia and Georgia were revoked following the Georgia conflict."
He said: "There is no partial UK arms embargo on Israel. UK policy remains to assess all export licences to Israel against the EU and national arms export licensing criteria."
Israeli officials said five licences had been revoked, all applying to parts for Saar-class missile boats, which were used to fire missiles and artillery shells at coastal targets and to provide cover for the ground offensive which was widely condemned as disproportionate.
Amnesty International, which has accused both Israel and Gaza's ruling Hamas party of committing war crimes during the conflict which began in December, called for an outright embargo on all arms exports to both sides.
UK Campaigns Director Tim Hancock said: "Given the weight of evidence that Israel committed war crimes in their offensive against Gaza, it is quite right that the UK should revoke any licences of weapons or components that may be used in this way. However, this doesn't go far enough.
"Amnesty has uncovered evidence of war crimes committed by both sides in the conflict. We are calling on all countries to suspend all transfers of military equipment, assistance and munitions, to Israel, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups until there is no longer a substantial risk that it will be used for serious violations of human rights.
"We will also be monitoring closely to ensure that the UK does not renege on its promises. In the past we have seen a tightening of restrictions against Israel in the wake of a major offensive, only for them to be loosened again once the issue falls out of the public eye."
Reader views (11)
I think deepdown Milliband is a Hamas supporter, in fact I think the whole British Government are just bloody terrorists, they support everything but our own, Israel has every right to defend themselves, if Hamas keep firing rockets over?, do you think Israel should do nothing?, its only natural that they fight back, not hard enough, as the Hamas are still violently probing Israel defences.
- David Crocket, Bradford , UK., 14/07/2009 16:35
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No doubt Milliband would have put an embargo on the RAF when it was bombing cities in Germany in reprisal for the Blitz on London had he been in charge of war efforts. The hypocricy of the world's leaders when it comes to Israel has no bounds. The gullible fools who believe the propoganda from Hamas should read the words of the retired British General who said there is no more ethical army in the world than Israel's, none would have matched Israel for trying to avoid civilian deaths in Gaza. The fact that Hamas included anyone under 18 as children, when their fighters are largely in that age group is lost on most people, because these people have a visceral hatred of Israel that transcends the normal criteria of judgement.
- Stephen Rothbart, Prague, Czech Republic, 14/07/2009 15:47
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Warren H,
We can all quote Israeli PMs:
“We must use terror, assassination, intimidation, land confiscation, and the cutting of all social services to rid the Galilee of its Arab population.”
“If I were an Arab leader, I would never sign an agreement with Israel. It is normal; we have taken their country. It is true God promised it to us, but how could that interest them? Our God is not theirs. There has been Anti - Semitism, the Nazis, Hitler, Auschwitz, but was that their fault ? They see but one thing: we have come and we have stolen their country. Why would they accept that?”
- Mark, South-East London, 14/07/2009 14:43
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Fivish,
Why not just say to destroy the palestinians or the Lebanese or the Iranians and get the US and UK to do it for the Israeli government, or any of the countries that disagree with Israel.
The Israeli government is just as much a sponsor of terror as any other group in the area. How many cicvilians died in Cast Lead? What about 1.5 million people being subjected to a seige no different to the warsaw gettos during WW2. Why do the Israeli government want to wipe out Irans nuclear sites when they wont admit to having their own, which have never been inspected. Its about time both sides were looked at not just Isreals enemies. Or would I be labelled an Anti-Semite for suggesting??
- Brian, London., 14/07/2009 14:34
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THis not enough!!
total weapons and comercial sanctions untill they abide by international law.
Israel has been getting away with muder for long enough
- Carla, London, 14/07/2009 13:51
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Wjat is Milli Vanilliband trying to do now?! He has so little gravitas nobody know what it is with him.
- Steveo, London NW1, 14/07/2009 13:20
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Millibland is a political midget, way otu of his depth and competence.
This action will achieve nothing other than jeopardising British jobs whislt protecting American workers, whose companies will fill any void.
Israel has a right to protect itself from the relentless onslaught by Islamist terrorists.
If Millibland nad his twisted government are suggesting that they do not, all of our troops must be immediately withdrawn from Iraq and Afghanistan, as by the same measure there is no jsutification for them being there.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, 14/07/2009 12:41
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Israel's prime minister recently summed the situation up perfectly - 'If the Arab states lay down their arms there will be peace, if Israel lays down its arms it will cease to exist'.
With 'friends' like Britain what hope does Israel have?
- Warren Hertzberg, London, 14/07/2009 12:36
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Its unbelievable that at a time where there is deep concern that our troops haven't got the best equipment for dealing with the Islamic fundamentalists in Afghanistan, we should be hindering the ability of our allies in the Middle East in their own fight against terror. This seems to be a clear case of appeasement from the foreign office and government, to the anti-Israel politicians , NGO's and muslim population in this country.
- Joe, Stratford, London, 14/07/2009 11:13
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I think the big question here is ...... is Milliband trying to grow a moustache or not. His top lip does look a bit dark in recent photos. We should be told!
- Paul, London, 14/07/2009 10:36
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This is an outrage! Israel is the front line on Jihadist terrorism! Israel should be supported and helped to destroy the Islamo-fascists. There is no difference between Hamas, Fatah, PA, PLO, Hezbolah, Taliban or Al-Kaida!
Amnesty International are self elected meddlers who have no legitimacy and are institutionaly anti-semitic.
- Fivish, London UK, 14/07/2009 10:00
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