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Cable says UK could suspend Israel arms sales if Gaza fighting continues
Business Secretary Vince Cable yesterday announced that the UK could suspend 12 licenses to export military items to Israel if fighting in Gaza continues.
Cable’s department oversees arms exports and following an internal review of licenses for components which it said “could be part of equipment used by the Israel Defence Forces in Gaza” he said yesterday that, “The UK government has not been able to clarify if the export license criteria are being met.” Consequently, Cable said, “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,” although it remains unclear what would constitute such a resumption.
Although it was not specified exactly what equipment the licenses relate to, the government confirmed that the suspensions would not include components for the Iron Dome anti-missile system, which has been hugely successful in combating Hamas rocket fire on Israeli population centres during Operation Protective Edge.
Most media reports suggest that Cable’s announcement reflected a coalition disagreement and was essentially a compromise between Liberal Democrat enthusiasm for an immediate suspension of arms sales to Israel and a Conservative opposition to such restrictions. The Guardian quotes a Liberal Democrat spokesman who said, “It is no secret that there has been a difference of opinion in the coalition government on this issue.”
The potential licence suspensions are unlikely to have any significant impact on Israel’s military, which is not thought to use any major British weapons system. Haaretz says that in recent years Israel has on average purchased less than £10 million worth of military goods from the UK, representing a fraction of its defence needs.
A statement by the Israeli Embassy in London expressed regret for Cable’s announcement, saying “Political decisions of this nature do not reflect Hamas’ responsibility as a serial violator of past cease-fires, and are unlikely to contribute to the goal of negotiating a sustainable solution.”