Machoman
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JERUSALEM: Britain has imposed a partial arms embargo on Israel over the Gaza war, refusing to supply replacement parts for navy gunships used in the offensive, a newspaper reported on Monday.
Britain's Foreign Office informed Israel's embassy in London of the sanctions a few days ago, the Haaretz newspaper said, adding that the embassy attributed the move to pressure from human rights groups and MPs.
The move came after the British government reviewed all 182 licences for arms exports to Israel and ultimately decided to cancel five, which cover spare parts for Saar 4.5 missile boats, Haaretz said.
British Foreign Minister David Miliband announced the review in April after some legislators pressed for an arms embargo on both Israel and Hamas.
By participating in the Gaza war, the boats violated the security agreements between Britain and Israel, which specify what uses may be made of British equipment, Haaretz quoted the British directive as saying.
British exports of sensitive products that are for military use or that can have both civilian or military applications need a licence. Britain says it will not grant a licence if there is a clear risk of exports being used either for internal repression or for external aggression.
But in a preliminary response, the British embassy in Tel Aviv said there had been no change in policy.
We do not believe that the current situation in the Middle East would be improved by imposing an arms embargo on Israel, the embassy said in a statement.
It did not elaborate on whether arms sales had been cancelled, but said: Future decisions will take into account what has happened in the recent conflict.
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman brushed off the sanctions, telling public radio: We've had many embargoes in the past...we can manage. This shouldn't bother us.
Israel launched its devastating three-week war on Gaza in December. More than 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed.
Israel has weathered international censure over the civilian toll of the Gaza war, arguing that Hamas provoked the violence by firing rockets at civilian communities across the border.
DAWN.COM | World | Britain slaps partial arms embargo on Israel
Britain's Foreign Office informed Israel's embassy in London of the sanctions a few days ago, the Haaretz newspaper said, adding that the embassy attributed the move to pressure from human rights groups and MPs.
The move came after the British government reviewed all 182 licences for arms exports to Israel and ultimately decided to cancel five, which cover spare parts for Saar 4.5 missile boats, Haaretz said.
British Foreign Minister David Miliband announced the review in April after some legislators pressed for an arms embargo on both Israel and Hamas.
By participating in the Gaza war, the boats violated the security agreements between Britain and Israel, which specify what uses may be made of British equipment, Haaretz quoted the British directive as saying.
British exports of sensitive products that are for military use or that can have both civilian or military applications need a licence. Britain says it will not grant a licence if there is a clear risk of exports being used either for internal repression or for external aggression.
But in a preliminary response, the British embassy in Tel Aviv said there had been no change in policy.
We do not believe that the current situation in the Middle East would be improved by imposing an arms embargo on Israel, the embassy said in a statement.
It did not elaborate on whether arms sales had been cancelled, but said: Future decisions will take into account what has happened in the recent conflict.
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman brushed off the sanctions, telling public radio: We've had many embargoes in the past...we can manage. This shouldn't bother us.
Israel launched its devastating three-week war on Gaza in December. More than 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed.
Israel has weathered international censure over the civilian toll of the Gaza war, arguing that Hamas provoked the violence by firing rockets at civilian communities across the border.
DAWN.COM | World | Britain slaps partial arms embargo on Israel
