Germany
suspends military equipment
sales to Israel
By Itim News Service and Ha'aretz Service
15 April 2002
German Defense Minister Rudolph Scharping confirmed Sunday that
his country has temporarily suspended the sale of military equipment
to Israel.
"The sale of replacement parts to the Israeli army has been
suspended, but not cancelled," Scharping said in an interview
granted to the ZDF television network Sunday, and stressed that
the action was not an embargo.
"In making the decision, the government means to send a signal
in light of the current situation," Scharping added.
Last Wednesday, the German government refused to comment on information
released by the Israel Defense Ministry, according to which Berlin
suspended the sale of military equipment to Israel several months
ago.
Report: Britain puts embargo on arms exports to Israel
The British newspaper The Guardian cited on Saturday official sources
saying that Britain had decided to enforce an unofficial embargo
on the export of weapons to Israel, for the first time in 20 years.
The embargo will apply to all military equipment that could be
used by Israel in the Palestinian territories. The sources stressed
that Britain did not declare an official or comprehensive embargo,
and government sources prefer to refrain from discussing the weapon
deals that have been affected. A government source in Britain noted
that according to government policy, weapons exports to a foreign
country are to be stopped if that country uses the weapons for internal
oppression, attack another country, or occupy land.
British ministers have recently demanded explanations from Israel
regarding the use of British equipment against Palestinians in the
territories. The British embargo has mainly political implications,
as Britain is not a major arms supplier to Israel. Last year Israel
acquired arms costing 12.5 million pounds from Britain, most of
it light weapons, although it included some armored personnel carriers
and tanks. A government source said that Britain has not publicly
declared a change in policy due to internal differences of opinion,
including differences among senior government members.
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