- Compromise struck between the Lib Dems and the Tories over arms exports
- Arms which could be used in Gaza will be blocked if ceasefire breaks down
- Lib Dems wanted to go further with immediate suspension of arms exports
Baroness
Warsi last night attacked the Government's decision to say arms exports
to Israel will be suspended only if violence returns to Gaza.
Vince
Cable announced a review found that 12 military export licences were
for components for military radar systems, combat aircraft and tanks,
which could be used by the Israeli Defence Force against Palestinians.
The Business Secretary said these licences would be suspended if the ceasefire collapsed.
Baroness Warsi has attack Business
Secretary Vince Cable after he announced that arms which could be used
by the Israel Defence Force will be banned if the ceasefire breaks down
But
Lady Warsi, who resigned as a Foreign Office minister last week, saying
the Government's stance on Gaza was morally indefensible, tweeted:
'Arms export licences will only be suspended if hostilities resume!! So
more people have to die before our criteria is met.'
The review found that the vast majority of exports licensed for Israel are not for items that could be used by forces in Gaza.
Mr
Cable said: 'We welcome the 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.
'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 have been issued for use by the Israeli Defence Force
during the review period.'
Vince Cable announced a review found
that 12 military export licences could be used by the Israeli Defence
Force against Palestinians
The
licences do not include the single licence granted in February 2013 for
the export of up to £7.7billion of cryptographic equipment or any
components that form part of the Iron Dome system protecting Israel from
the rocket attacks launched by Hamas from the Gaza Strip.
The
position announced by the Lib Dem Cabinet minister falls short of the
immediate suspension of arms exports his party had called for.
The
Lib Dem policy, championed by party leader and Deputy Prime Minister
Nick Clegg, has faced opposition from Tory ministers within the Cabinet.
A
Lib Dem spokesman said: 'It is no secret that there has been a
difference of opinion in the coalition Government on this issue.
'Nick
Clegg and Vince Cable have 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.
'This is a coalition and this is as far as we have been able to reach in collective agreement with the Conservatives.
'It has taken a significant amount of time and effort from Liberal Democrats in Government to get us this far.
'What
is clear now is that we have agreement that if the current ceasefire
ends in Gaza, which we all hope it doesn't, and there was a resumption
of significant hostilities, then there would be an immediate suspension
of those arms export licences to Israel that give cause for concern.'
The
licences do not include the single licence granted in February 2013 for
the export of up to £7.7 billion of cryptographic equipment or any
components that form part of the Iron Dome system protecting Israel from
the rocket attacks launched by Hamas.
A Palestinian woman sits with two
boys at the edge of a crater left where her home used to be and which
was completely demolished by an Israeli airstrike in Jabalia, northern
Gaza Strip
The Government will suspend 12 arms export licenses which could be used by the Israeli Defence Force in Gaza
Former
Foreign Office minister Baroness Warsi resigned last week after
criticising David Cameron for his 'morally indefensible' failure to
describe the Israeli action as disproportionate.
More
than 1,900 Palestinians have died in the conflict in which 64 Israeli
soldiers have also been killed. Three civilians have been killed in
Israel – two Israelis and a Thai agricultural worker.
In
his letter to Baroness Warsi after her resignation, the Prime Minister
described the situation in Gaza as 'intolerable' as he raised concerns
about 'the heavy toll of civilian casualties'.
But he said Israel had the right to defend itself. Hamas is estimated to have launched 3,000 rockets from Gaza in recent weeks.
A majority of British voters believe Israel acted disproportionately during the recent Gaza conflict, according to recent polls.
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