Israel

The conflict

In breach of international law, Israel continues to occupy Palestinian land. Four major points of dispute – Jewish settlements in the occupied territories, the status of Jerusalem, water resources, and the fate of the Palestinian refugees – and ongoing Palestinian suicide bombings continue to stand in the way of a peaceful solution. Since the beginning of the al-Aqsa Intifada in September 2000, Israel's military operations in the occupied territories have included the killing of Palestinian civilians, extra-judicial executions, arbitrary detention and deportation of prisoners, collective punishment, torture, attacks on hospitals and ambulances, curfews and other restrictions on freedom of movement, and the wholesale destruction of homes. Arms sales help Israel to continue this occupation, help prolong the conflict and give legitimacy to its actions.

Israel's military industry

In 2002, Israel passed a military budget of $9.8bn, 8.9% of its GDP, ranking fiftieth in the world's top military spenders.² Israel also has a vibrant domestic military industry – in 2002 it was the twelfth largest military military exporter with main customers including Australia, Belgium, Chile, India, Romania, Singapore, Turkey, USA and Venezuela.³ According to the Israeli MoD, Israeli military firms signed $4bn in new contracts during 2002, a 64% increase on 2001.⁴ If implemented through actually deliveries, it was reported that this level of new orders would put Israel in third place among the world's leading arms-producing nations, behind the US and Russia.⁵ Israeli military industry is well-represented at DSEi with, as of 17 August 2003, Rafael, Oceana Integrated Technologies, M-Systems, Israel Military Industries and its subsidiary, Ashot Ashkelon Industries all due to exhibit.

The UK's role

UK government approved arms export licences increased from £12.5m in 2000 (191 licences issued) to £22.5m in 2001 (277 licences issued) and then fell again to £10m in 2002 (161 licences issued).⁶ However, actual deliveries increased steadily over the three years. Licences granted for 2002 included assault rifles, weapon day and night sights, components for combat aircraft, components for artillery rocket control equipment, anti-armour missiles and armoured all wheel drive vehicles. While company details are not provided in official figures, UK companies that have supplied arms to Israel and who are exhibiting at DSEi 2003 include: BAE Systems, which has provided head-up displays for US-built F16s supplied to Israel;⁷ Smiths Group, which has supplied missile triggering systems for Apache attack helicopters;⁸ and Civil Defence Supply Ltd which (along with Hiatt & Co Ltd) is involved with Paz Logistics, an Israeli company that markets UK military goods in Israel.⁹

In July 2002, to the outrage of many, including a good number of its own backbenchers and the Daily Mirror, the UK government allowed the export of components for F-16 fighters being made by Lockheed Martin for sale to Israel. Making the announcement, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw set out new 'factors' to be considered when assessing export licence applications. In a nutshell, where components are to be exported, the government will look at the UK's military industrial relationship with the country where the equipment will be finally assembled. He effectively confirmed that there was no such thing as an independent UK arms industry and abdicated to overseas governments, usually the US, decisions on the end-use of UK components. In the case of the Head Up Display units bound for Israel, he said 'Any interruption to the supply of these components would have serious implications for the UK's defence relations with the United States.' In other words it would jeopardise the interests of BAE Systems.

The failure of the UK government to implement a full, two-way embargo, leaves the UK effectively condoning Israel's flagrant disregard for international law and human rights. Israel has been invited to DSEi 2003.

1 Primarily sourced from Mandy Turner, 'Arming the Occupation', CAAT, October 2002
2 SIPRI Yearbook 2003
3 Personal communication from SIPRI, 15.8.03
4 Defense News, 'Israel Unveils Improved Weapon Export Figures', 16.6.03
5 Defense News, 'Israel Unveils Improved Weapon Export Figures', 16.6.03
6 UK Strategic Export Controls Annual Reports, 2000, 2001 & 2002
7 The Guardian, 09.07.02
8 Guardian, May 29th 2002.
9 www.palestinecampaign.org; www.pazlogistics.com cited in Turner, 2002