UK reviews arms export licences to Israel after Gaza

[Turborama]

Source: Reuters

LONDON (Reuters) - The government said on Tuesday it was reviewing arms export licences to Israel after acknowledging British components may have been used in military equipment used by Israel during its 22-day offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband faced questions from lawmakers during the conflict in January over whether Israeli forces were using any British equipment but said then it was not clear what equipment had been used.

He told parliament on Tuesday some Israeli military equipment used in Gaza may have contained British components.

"I can confirm that we are looking at all extant licences (for sensitive exports to Israel) to see whether any of these need to be reconsidered in light of recent events in Gaza," Miliband said in a written statement.

"All future applications will be assessed taking into account the recent conflict," he said.

Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKTRE53K5PO20090421?sp=true

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Military exports to Israel reviewed following Gaza conflict

Source: Guardian

=snip=

• Israeli reconnaissance satellites, for which Britain supplies minor components, which could have been used to provide information to the Israeli army. Miliband said: "We assess that these might have been used to prepare the operation but would not have played a significant part in the operation itself."

• F16 aircraft were "widely used" to deliver precision-guided bombs, and incorporate British components. Britain has banned the export of F16 components directly to Israel since 2002. But British F16 components are exported to the US "where Israel was the ultimate end user".

• Apache attack helicopters, which incorporate British components, exported to the US for use on helicopters "ultimately destined for Israel".

• Saar-class corvette naval vessels, which incorporate a British 76mm gun, and took part in operations from waters off Gaza.

• Armoured personnel carriers, which included conversions of British-supplied Centurion tanks, and were used as mobile headquarters. The Centurions were sold to Israel in the late 1950s.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/22/israel-gaza-military-exports

[IsItJustMe]

1. Crickets.

[Ghost Dog]

2. That would be a start,

but I wouldn't hold your breath.

There's an Indonesian precedent... (eg. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2005/nov/27/indonesia.armstrade )