Britain threatens: arms embargo on Israel
British PM gave in to pressure of his government and announced that if another round of fighting starts, he'll impose a partial embargo on arms exports to Israel
- Yonah Shub
- י"ז אב התשע"ד
Photo: Flash 90
The British government announced this evening (Tuesday) that if the fighting in Gaza is renewed, it would impose an arms embargo on Israel and freeze 12 existing licenses of export weapons and military technology.
The decision was made following the surrender to heavy pressure on Prime Minister David Cameron, leader of the Conservative Party, from his main left-center partner, the Liberal Democratic Party.
Among the arms are parts for fighter planes and unmanned aircraft, tanks and military radars. However an export license freeze will not apply to parts of the "Iron Dome" system.
The British department for business and innovation for the British government gave the announcement after the ministry checked the items which the IDF uses during the fighting in Gaza. Minister Vince Cable, in charge of the office, is of the Liberal party.
"The British government calls on both sides to respect the ceasefire," said the announcement, "and to work towards a long-term ceasefire. However, in case significant hostilities are renewed, the government is concerned that it could not clarify whether the terms of licenses are properly fulfilled. Accordingly, the government will suspend these licenses as a precaution."
The Israeli embassy in London said in response: "Israel regrets the calls to cancel or freeze export licenses, or conditioning them with non-recurrence of hostilities. Making political decisions of this type does not reflect the responsibility of Hamas for violations of ceasefires in the past, and it is unlikely that they will contribute to negotiations about a sustainable solution to the current conflict."
The decision was made following the surrender to heavy pressure on Prime Minister David Cameron, leader of the Conservative Party, from his main left-center partner, the Liberal Democratic Party.
Among the arms are parts for fighter planes and unmanned aircraft, tanks and military radars. However an export license freeze will not apply to parts of the "Iron Dome" system.
The British department for business and innovation for the British government gave the announcement after the ministry checked the items which the IDF uses during the fighting in Gaza. Minister Vince Cable, in charge of the office, is of the Liberal party.
"The British government calls on both sides to respect the ceasefire," said the announcement, "and to work towards a long-term ceasefire. However, in case significant hostilities are renewed, the government is concerned that it could not clarify whether the terms of licenses are properly fulfilled. Accordingly, the government will suspend these licenses as a precaution."
The Israeli embassy in London said in response: "Israel regrets the calls to cancel or freeze export licenses, or conditioning them with non-recurrence of hostilities. Making political decisions of this type does not reflect the responsibility of Hamas for violations of ceasefires in the past, and it is unlikely that they will contribute to negotiations about a sustainable solution to the current conflict."
הוספת תגובה
לכתבה זו טרם התפרסמו תגובות