UK Revokes Some Israel Arms LicencesThe United Kingdom has revoked a number of arm export licenses to Israel following the Gaza war, however, the British Embassy has insisted that this does not indicate a partial UK arms embargo on Israel.
According to Reuters, of 182 arms-export licenses, five were revoked. All involved equipment for the Saar 4.5 class Corvette, a naval vessel that took part in the December-January offensive in which more than 1,400 Palestinians were killed. The British said the embargo was imposed because these ships participated in Operation Cast Lead. In so doing, the British claimed, they violated the security agreements between Britain and Israel, which specify what uses may be made of British equipment.
The British embassy in Tel Aviv confirmed the revocation, but said this did not constitute an embargo on Israel, saying "There are no security agreements between the UK and Israel. UK policy remains to assess all export licences to Israel against the consolidated E.U. and national arms export licensing criteria."
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.
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.
The British Embassy in Tel Aviv issued a statement saying,
On 21 April 2009 the Foreign Secretary issued a Written Ministerial Statement about U.K. exports to Israel which may have been used by the Israel Defense Forces during the conflict in Gaza. Future decisions will take into account what has happened in the recent conflict. We do not grant export licenses where there is a clear risk that arms will be used for external aggression or internal repression…We consistently urge Israel to act with restraint and supported the EU Presidency statement that called the Israeli actions during operation Cast Lead 'disproportionate.'Syrian-Israeli Official Statements not Hopeful for Peace
Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon told Army Radio on Monday that conditions were not yet ripe for any progress on the Syrian diplomatic track. Ayalon's words came after a report published on Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, which said senior U.S. diplomat Fred Hoff will meet with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem on Monday and present Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak with a document entitled "Marking the border between Syria and Israel."
His comments come after Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Mouallem said Sunday that his country will not attend any regional summit unless Israel concedes to the principle of going back to the 1967 lines in return for peace. Mouallem spoke during a Damascus press conference with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner. Syria, he said, does not see Israel as a viable partner for peace at this time.
HEADLINES
Israel FM queries Abbas authority (BBC)
Israel rejects call for Palestinian state deadline (AFP)
Palestinians reject any Israel-U.S. settlement deal (Reuters)
Israel to open all Gaza commercial crossings Monday (Ma'an)
Palestine and the Palestinians
PNA accuses Israel of exporting crisis with Washington to Palestinians (Xinhua)
Abbas says to accept any Egyptian proposal for reconciliation (Xinhua)
PA refutes Lieberman comments on Abbas legitimacy (Ma'an)
The brides wore black: Hamas widows re-marry on Gaza beach (Jerusalem Post)
Hamas nabs two Islamic Jihad men preparing to fire mortars at Israel (Ha'aretz)
Hamas reportedly arrests Gaza operatives firing at Israeli troops (Xinhua)
Gaza: Prices drop following reports of relief (Ynet)
Israel may allow PA counter-terror force (Jerusalem Post)
Palestinian children rally against siege on Gaza-Egypt borders (Xinhua)
Israel
Israel phone firm's West Bank wall gag fails to amuse (Washington Post)
Netanyahu Calls for Peace Summit With Palestinian Leaders (VOA)
Israel's Zim receives first of new container ships (Reuters)
Israel bringing in thousands of migrant workers despite recent arrests (Ha'aretz)
Israel in 'Sabbath car park' row (BBC)
Israel's Transportation Ministry to 'Hebraize' road signs (Ma'an)
Israel to present its stand on prisoner swap (Ynet)
The Neighbors
Syria won't redraw border with Lebanon (Jerusalem Post)
Syria renaissance excludes human rights (BBC)
France FM tells Israel, Syria to waste no time in renewing talks (Ha'aretz)
Deputy Israeli FM: Conditions not yet ripe for progress on Syria track (Xinhua)
Syria: No peace summit until Israel cedes Golan Heights (Ynet)
Egyptian official: No chances for Hamas, Fatah reconciliation (Ynet)
Southern Lebanese say peace deal with Israel will not improve security (Daily Star)
US Foreign Policy
Israel 'bows to U.S. pressure' on Gripen (UPI)
Obama to meet American Jewish leaders (Jerusalem Post)
Defending the indefensible settlements (Guardian)
International Relations/Law
Court to state: Raze West Bank outposts slated for demolition in 2005 (Ha'aretz)
G8: Berlusconi proposes more aid for Palestinians (ADN Kronos International)
Israeli-Palestinian peace 'not moving forward': French FM (AFP)
MP Galloway to bring Hugo Chavez on next Gaza visit (Ma'an)
Israel never dallied on Iran nukes, says Netanyahu (Ha'aretz)
Israel: Iran Will Be Destroyed if It Launches Nuclear Attack (Voice of America)
Israel to Solana: Conflict can only be resolved through dialogue (Ynet)
Arts and Activism
Palestinian art show in Herzliya Museum (Ynet)
Misc.
Tennis / Israel to face Spain in semis (Ha'aretz)
Israel's Omri Casspi is King, NBA pioneer for his country (USA Today)
Commentary
Kossof: Mid East peace? Let Palestinians be Jewish (The Telegraph)
Zogby: What Arabs Can Do to Support Peace (Huffington Post)
Weiss: Water for Peace (New York Times)
Daragmeh: Conflict-worn Palestinians carve our niches of joy (Associated Press)
Eldar: Obama's settlement talks are insulting to Abbas (Ha'aretz)
Ezzat: Lobbying support for peace (Al-Ahram)
Durrani: US lifeline to Gaza (Al-Ahram)
Amayreh: Car wreck in the making (Al-Ahram)
Freilich: Hoping the next 100 days go better (Jerusalem Post)
Cook: The victory of defeat (Electronic Intifada)
As Israel warns of another war, let's honor the fallen with peace (Daily Star)
Hallinan: The settlements and the quartet (Counterpunch)
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