UK warns over Israel export licences Palestinians in Gaza City are using the temporary ceasefire to visit what is left of their neighbourhoods UK arms export licences to Israel will only be suspended if fresh violence breaks out in Gaza, ministers say. It has identified 12 licences for components which could be used in equipment in Gaza by Israel. It says it would suspend them in the event of a resumption of significant hostilities. The Lib Dems had urged a suspension regardless of the current ceasefire. A spokesman said this was as far as we have been able to reach in collective agreement with the Conservatives. It is no secret that there has been a difference of opinion in the coalition government on this issue, the spokesman said. He said Lib Dem ministers had been very clear for some time both privately and publicly that they wanted to see arms export licences to Israel suspended because of the situation in Gaza. It has taken a significant amount of time and effort from Liberal Democrats in government to get us this far. Ceasefire welcomed The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Bis) has already been reviewing its export licences to Israel. It found that most exports licensed for Israel were not for items that could be used by the Israeli Defence Force in Gaza. Announcing the governments decision, Business Secretary Vince Cable said: We welcome the current ceasefire in Gaza and hope that it will lead to a peaceful resolution. However, the UK government has not been able to clarify if the export licence criteria are being met. The Lib Dem minster added: In light of that uncertainty, we have taken the decision to suspend these existing export licences in the event of a resumption of significant hostilities. No new licences of military equipment have been issued for use by the Israeli Defence Force during the review period and, as a precautionary measure, this approach will continue until hostilities cease.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 18:41:55 +0000
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