JERUSALEM: Britain has imposed a partial arms embargo on Israel over the Gaza war, refusing to supply replacement parts for navy gunships used in the offensive, a newspaper reported on Monday.
‘Britain’s Foreign Office informed Israel’s embassy in London of the sanctions a few days ago,’ the Haaretz newspaper said, adding that the embassy attributed the move to pressure from human rights groups and MPs.
The move came after the British government reviewed all 182 licences for arms exports to Israel and ultimately decided to cancel five, which cover spare parts for Saar 4.5 missile boats, Haaretz said.
British Foreign Minister David Miliband announced the review in April after some legislators pressed for an arms embargo on both Israel and Hamas.
By participating in the Gaza war, the boats ‘violated the security agreements between Britain and Israel, which specify what uses may be made of British equipment,’ Haaretz quoted the British directive as saying.
British exports of sensitive products that are for military use or that can have both civilian or military applications need a licence. Britain says it will not grant a licence if there is a clear risk of exports being used either for internal repression or for external aggression.
But in a preliminary response, the British embassy in Tel Aviv said there had been no change in policy.
‘We do not believe that the current situation in the Middle East would be improved by imposing an arms embargo on Israel,’ the embassy said in a statement.
It did not elaborate on whether arms sales had been cancelled, but said: ‘Future decisions will take into account what has happened in the recent conflict.’
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman brushed off the sanctions, telling public radio: ‘We’ve had many embargoes in the past…we can manage. This shouldn’t bother us.’
Israel launched its devastating three-week war on Gaza in December. More than 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed.
Israel has weathered international censure over the civilian toll of the Gaza war, arguing that Hamas provoked the violence by firing rockets at civilian communities across the border.
A small step in the right direction, but not nearly enough. Israel will still manage to get all the weapons it needs to indiscriminately kill Palestinians.
When will USA take a similar step? Even if as a gesture…
a small step indeed. However it makes for a pleasant change. Europe has been mostly divided and its good to see that britain is waking up to it . Fat chance expecting this in australia or usa.
At the end of the day what difference does it make. Do you hear Israelis weeping. It is time that the muslim world stopped clutching on straws and herald a victory when nothing is there.
At the end of the day what difference does it make. Do you hear Israelis weeping. It is time that the muslim world stopped clutching on straws and herald a victory when nothing is there.
Didn't expect anything better from you.
It looks like you didn't even read the article and don't even know why UK took this action, all you read was Israel and muslims and here you are with same old bakwas.
Good to see Britian waking up and taking SOME kind of action, it won't make too much diffrence as US is always there for Israel but at least Britain is admitting the EVIL side of Israel does exist (something most other countries know for years).
Isn't it amazing that Indian posters(on other forums as well) are the first ones to defend Israel no matter what the issue is???
Hundreds of innocent kids and women were killed for fun, buildings and water tanks were destroyed just because Israeli soldiers were feeling bored.
At the end of the day what difference does it make. Do you hear Israelis weeping. It is time that the muslim world stopped clutching on straws and herald a victory when nothing is there.
for that matter what difference does your post make.
Isn't it amazing that Indian posters(on other forums as well) are the first ones to defend Israel no matter what the issue is???
Hundreds of innocent kids and women were killed for fun, buildings and water tanks were destroyed just because Israeli soldiers were feeling bored.
hardly a surprise they share quite a lot with them their disdain for muslims being the chief uniting trait, theyr genocidal tactics another, the baysharmi in painting oppressed people as fanatics (kashmiris or palestinians). But people who base bonds on hate are ususally doomed to begin with.
JERUSALEM: Britain has imposed a partial arms embargo on Israel over the Gaza war, refusing to supply replacement parts for navy gunships used in the offensive, a newspaper reported on Monday.
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When will USA take a similar step? Even if as a gesture...
US will never take that step. Remember what Obama said, in a muslim country no less, "Bond between Israel and USA is unbreakable". The strong lobby of jews will never let it happen.
We muslims should look inwards to resolve this problem We should ask the tough questions, such as, Why is there such a great rift between PLO and Hammas? Why does Saudia not supply cash, material, infrastructure to build the palestanian society? Why does Jordan not allow starving palestanians into their country? These questions must be answered without a cop out (US is controlling all of this). Once we can get the rest of the muslim world to help the palestanians instead of using them as a card for US hatred, we will be taking a step in the right direction. Rest assured, UK is not doing this because they are upset with Israel long term. This is a short term ploy to appease the easily appeased muslims.
It looks like you didn't even read the article and don't even know why UK took this action, all you read was Israel and muslims and here you are with same old bakwas.
Good to see Britian waking up and taking SOME kind of action, it won't make too much diffrence as US is always there for Israel but at least Britain is admitting the EVIL side of Israel does exist (something most other countries know for years).
Did you read my post before posting. Let me repeat my question to you -- "What difference does it make". Israel depends on US the most and I dont see US imposing any sort of embargo on Israel in the forseeable future. Britain admitting to the Evil side of Israel is not going to change anything on the ground.