Britain in shock cave-in to demands for arms embargo against Israel
In a deeply worrying development today, it is being reported out of Israel and by international news agencies that Britain has imposed a partial arms embargo on Israel following the recent Cast Lead offensive in the Gaza strip.
Haaretz is reporting that the UK has revoked export licences for spare parts for Sa’ar 4.5 naval gunships of the type that were used in Cast Lead. The British government reviewed 182 licences in all and decided to revoke five of them.
According to Haaretz:
“Britain’s Foreign Office informed Israel’s embassy in London of the sanctions a few days ago. The embassy, in a classified telegram to the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, said the decision stemmed from heavy pressure by both members of Parliament and human rights organizations.”
This is a matter of deep concern, not so much for the embargo itself — only a small number of licences were revoked and Israel will find ways round it — but for the precedent it sets and the reasoning behind it.
The risk of a domino effect in Europe is now very real. As Haaretz further noted:
“The British embargo is not expected to have any impact on the navy’s operational capability. However, it has great political significance, and could encourage other countries to halt defense exports to Israel. The country considered most likely to be next is Belgium, which sells Israel equipment used to disperse demonstrations.”
Many of us who have been closely watching developments in Europe in recent years have consoled ourselves that Europe’s governing classes have been largely unaffected by the kind of media and NGO-driven hysteria against the Jewish state with which we are all too familiar. An important line may now be being breached. We may be entering an entirely new phase.
To read the full article, click here:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1099701.html
July 13th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
This is indeed a matter of great concern — Labour Friends of Israel’s MPs should get moving on this.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
The decision has been made under Criterion 2 of the granting of arms licenses. Criterion 2 deals with ‘internal repression’ …..
http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/legislation/consolidated-criteria/page46288.html
To me this looks like pure grandstanding – like the voluntary labelling scheme in supermarkets that the government is promoting.
The government has taken a step closer to thwe LibDem position: “We support Israel’s right to defend itself but not if it means we have to sell them the means to do it”.
July 13th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
The UK has not imposed an arms embargo on Israel. UK policy remains to assess all export licences to Israel against the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria.
The full statement is available here: http://ukinisrael.fco.gov.uk/en/newsroom/?view=News&id=20557292
July 13th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
How disingenuous can you get?
Try the duck test
(Quack quack)
July 14th, 2009 at 10:23 am
Thanks for putting us right, British embassy. Black is white, after all.
July 15th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Just Journalism looks at how reporting of the UK’s decision to end a selection of naval contracts with Israel exposes underlying assumptions about Palestinian casualties: http://tiny.cc/e4jA5
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July 18th, 2009 at 4:47 am
This is a related commentary on British double standards:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443820096&pagename=JPArticle%2FShowFull
July 19th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
It is amazing how the UK and other countries can and do rely on Israel for support when they need it. The problem is, that when israel needs them they turn the other way. When will they learn that the enemies of Israel are the their enemies a well.
At the end of the day, anti-semitism rules!
July 19th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
This is Britains way of thanking the families of all the Jewish young men and women that gave their lives in defending them during world war 2.
July 19th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
So much for Gordon Brown’s protestation of friendship with Israel! For a long time now i have been a vitriolic opponent of this collection of meely mouthed authoritarian fools that go under the name ‘British Government’. They are a disgrace to this nation, and i do not think it will change because we have an equally stupi population who are unable to discern truth from lies and fairness from injustice. i just hope that it is realised that there are SOME people in the UK who disagree utterly and totally with these idiots who wield the power.
July 19th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
I’m afraid the UK, a country we appreciate very much, is sinking into a moral morass. Again, just like 71 year ago, clawing out of it might take millions of victimes….again. It’s criminal each new generation of leaders have to learn thousand year old lessons again and again. Why not draw the line, take a centuries old learned moral stand and stick to it – for good ? A country bearing such a rich history, reenacting historic battles fought in the month that follows, keeping history “alive” all over the country, why would it’s present leaders behave in such a, with a view to the future, lopsided way ? Generations to come should be able to feel proud when looking back to (early) 21st century. We really are tired of ending by “we hope that”…. “Hope” we shall pay very dearly. Courageous deeds are what is needed. Say “NO” as a start, help a vital friend like Israel, and bear the consequences. Together we’ll stand, alone each one of us will sink with you. The same applies for most european countries unfortunately, no less mine. Flander’s fields, amongst many others, attest to the foolishness of a few. Let’s engage the hundreds of million silent citizens of the world. It’ll take a first step of course.
July 19th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Perhaps some British are still upset over Jewish resistance in the Exodus episode.
July 20th, 2009 at 7:34 am
The British Embassy in Israel is ducking and diving on the issue. Since the establishment of the State of Israel Britain has been imposing embargoes on Israel; in 1947 it was embargo on Jews entering Israel, now it is on military parts and in between there were many others. For centuries most Brits have been suffering from three incurable diseases: superiority, racism and antisemitism. Now with the Brits growing love for the muslims in their midst, antisemitism is rampant in Britain. Where else have we seen such vile antisemitic protests that not one MP had stood up and demanded to stop! And the Bobby police stood idly bytoo!
After Germany Britain has the most Jewish blood on its hands. Britain is now operating to the tune of the Islamofascist muslims and the little moral compass it had for the Jews is rapidly disappearing in the onslaught of antisemitic Britain!
It is not amazing how the UK and other EU countries can and do rely on Israel for support when they need it; this is their antisemitic approach and double standards towards the Jews. This is why Europe is almost Judenrein; in the 20th century the Europeans killed half of the Jewish population of the world. Let us not forget it! The Brits will learn that the enemies of Israel are the their enemies as well AFTER the FACT! After much British blood has been spilt. Now the Brits are operating Neville Chamberlain style: Appease the Islamonazis, the extension of Hitler.
July 20th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Actions by many people and many governments are impossible to defend on logical and reasonable grounds because those actions are based on an irrational anti-semitism. Sometomes the anti-semitism is on a subconscious level, and the person taking the position will not admit to being an anti-semite. Sometimes they have an extensive history of perpetrating anti-semitic actions and making anti-semitic comments and statements.
July 20th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Time to go on the offensive. Arabs and leftists have developed their propaganda and political skills to the maximum.
Israel and supporters all over the world must do the same. It should be easier for us since we have the truth to work with.
July 20th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
Hypocrisy, bias, weak-knees, stupidity and naivete have combined in “leadership” to make these terrible decisions. Not to forget, of course, oil-rich “big bucks” have bought a lot of friends.
July 21st, 2009 at 6:52 am
Despite such embargo moves, Israel marshals its limited power in the world and does well. The Americans and Europeans and UN bluster on Israel has little tangible effect on her! The living standards in Israel are high; Israel’s enemies suffer much more than Israelis. We just want Israel to be respected and succeed. And Israel succeeds. It is respected more than in the past; never as much as Israel wants though so we continue our fight to defend Israel.