Anger
as sales of UK arms to Israel double
By Andrew Grice
Political Editor
The Independent
20 July 2002
The Government's record on arms sales was under fresh scrutiny
last night after the Foreign Office disclosed that the value of
arms exports to Israel almost doubled last year.
Although Labour banned the sale of tanks, aircraft, warships and
artillery to Israel when it came to power in 1997, the amount of
arms exports to Israel rose from £12.5m in 2000 to £22.5m
last year.
The licences granted included anti-tank missiles, armoured vehicles,
components for air-to-air and surface-to air missiles, anti-ship
missiles, bombs, combat helicopters, fast-attack craft and large-calibre
ammunition.
Ministers insist they have taken a tougher line on exports to Israel
since 2000 because of its actions in the occupied territories but
the disclosure of the growing trade will alarm Labour MPs, 42 of
whom signed a Commons motion attacking the Government's decision
to grant licences for components of F-16 fighter jets to be sold
to Israel via the United States.
The report on strategic export controls, published by the Foreign
Office last night, also revealed that licences approved for Pakistan
more than doubled in value from £6m to £14m last year.
Those for India fell slightly from £64.5m to £62.5m.
Arms sales to Indonesia increased from £2m to £15.5m
despite fears equipment might be used for internal repression. Licences
included all-wheel vehicles, components for aircraft cannon, combat
aircraft and military aero-engines.
Andrew McLean, communications manager for the pressure group Saferworld,
said: "The series of weapons sales that continued to be granted
to countries of concern, illustrate how the EU code of conduct is
not being rigorously implemented."
The Foreign Office said Britain provided only 0.1 per cent of Israel's
defence imports and said not all the equipment was sold to its government,
while some items were for testing and research rather than operational
use.
A spokeswoman said the number of "open licences", under
which exports do not require individual approval, to Israel and
Pakistan had been reduced. She said the "fluctuations"
in the exports to Israel and Pakistan did not reflect any change
in government policy.
Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, defended himself over previous
criticism of arms sales to Israel, India, Pakistan and Tanzania.
During a visit to India, he said: "These are difficult decisions
that we have to make, but I am satisfied we have been fully consistent
with the criteria laid down."
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