Britain became the first country to halt arms exports to Israel in response to its Gaza offensive, rescinding five export licences for parts used on warships which were deployed in the conflict.I've got a feeling that even if the Tories are elected to office next year, this may not change. But as I said, I don't think Israel should rely on Britain's arms services anyway, because the time has come to start developing weapons on their own.
An Israeli official said that Britain had reviewed 182 licenses before deciding to revoke the five in connection with the Saar 4.5 class corvette. The British Embassy in Tel Aviv confirmed the move but said that it did not constitute an embargo on Israel.
"There are no security agreements between the UK and Israel," an embassy spokesman said. "UK policy remains to assess all export licences to Israel against the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria.”
After the 23-day offensive six months ago, a number of MPs called on Gordon Brown to impose a complete arms embargo on Israel. A petition of more than 38,000 signatures calling for a ban was also posted on the Prime Minister’s website.
If anything, this shows how the UK's anti-Israel hostility has really reached a new low.
More commentary on this from Melanie Phillips.
8 comments:
That's okay, Britain has become a runt in arms world. Even if the U.S. embargos Israel, they can always turn to China or Russia. Those two will sell you just about anything for the right price. By the way, Israeli-modified Su-30s and Mi-28 Havocs would be as equally devestating as their Western counterparts, if not more.
After Britain put an embargo on the Chieftain sales to Israel, we developed the Merkava. :)
Every earthly arms dealer can refuse Israel. But His strength will be made perfect in her weakness.
Just watch.
In the earlier Israeli wars there were scattered reports of "miraculous" episodes where the enemy (Syrian soldiers in one report) inexplicably retreated under circumstances not easily explicable by natural means.
Next time, the whole world will see it. At least that's what it says in Ezekiel.
Do not quite understand it, but it seems God is not through with using Israel to show His glory. Even if many Israelis are purely secular today.
The next one is going to be really weird, when Iran tries to destroy Israel with a nuclear weapon and it goes errant destroying Damascus.
Avi Green,
Israel is the only free state in the middle east and not siding with them will not encourage Arab or Islamic states to give up Jihad, it will just make Brittan look like easier prey. That is definitively not good for the UK, since Jihadists like predators tend to go after the easy picking first, so they will just encourage them to attack. No matter what reason they may have, they are making a serious mistake.
Damien,
You're the man lately. You've been making very astute comments.
Thanks for you input.
Pastorius,
Thank you!
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