Campbell calls for Israel arms ban

As the government publishes its annual arms export figures, the Liberal Democrats have called on the prime minister to halt any further shipments of military equipment to Israel.

Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell has written to Tony Blair saying that in light of the escalating violence in the Middle East, the UK should suspend the sale of arms to Israel until the conflict is resolved.

The government's strategic export controls report for 2005, published on Monday, shows that 150 arms export licences were granted for the sale of military equipment to Israel in 2005.

Saferworld calculated the total value of the licences granted last year to be £22.5m - almost double that for 2004.

And with another £2m of licences granted in the first quarter of this year, the value of arms export licences over the last 18 months totals over £25m.

Sir Menzies said in his letter: "In light of disproportionate military action by Israel in Lebanon and Gaza the UK government must suspend any further arms exports to Israel.

"Over the last year-and-a-half the UK government has licensed the export of arms to Israel worth over £25m, including components for naval light guns, military utility helicopters, aircraft radars and electronic warfare equipment," he wrote.

However, the government's export controls report shows that, despite the large number of licences granted, only one piece of 'weapons and small arms' equipment was actually sold to Israel in 2005.

The report says the total value of exports of military equipment to Israel over the year was just £582,071.

Depending on the type of licence, they can be valid for sales of arms for up to five years, and in certain specific cases, longer than that.

Foreign Office regulations on arms exports require that licences should not be issued for exports where weapons might be used for internal repression or international aggression, or pose risks to regional stability. 

The rules also require that there is consideration of the intended recipient's respect for international law, including "its compliance with its international commitments, in particular on the non-use of force, including under international humanitarian law applicable to international and non-international conflicts".

Sir Menzies said the government is right to ensure there are no arms transfers from the UK to Syria, Iran or illegal armed groups such as the military wing of Hizbollah.

But he added: "Kofi Annan has said attacks in Lebanon are inflicting collective punishment on the Lebanese people and the UN emergency relief co-ordinator has described attacks on Beirut as a 'violation of humanitarian law'.

"The government must now comply with its own arms export rules and institute an immediate suspension of all UK arms exports to Israel."