UK firm blasted for arming Israeli military
Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:13:20 GMT
Hermes 450, the primary UAV system of the Israeli air force
A British company's links to the Israeli military come under scrutiny, as
pressure mounts on the government to curb arms sales to Tel Aviv.
UAV Engines, of Lichfield, Staffordshire, (known as UEL) is a world leading
drone engine manufacturer that is owned by the Israel drone company Silver
Arrow, which in turn, is a subsidiary of the Israeli defense contractor Elbit
Systems. reported.
According to The Guardian, one of UEL's rotary Wankel engines is used in
Elbit's Hermes 450 drone, which carries out surveillance and targeting
operations for Israel's F-16 fighters in the current offensive against Gaza.
Reliable military news journals and Elbit's own website suggest that the
Lichfield factory produces engines for the Hermes, despite denials by Elbit's
head of corporate communications, Dalia Rosen.
"UEL engines are provided to the British UAV programs and to other
international customers, not to Hermes 450 in the service of the IDF [Israeli
military]," she said, rejecting all references given in support of the
information.
Elbite denies the sales although arms sales records indicate that the export
of 'components for unmanned aerial vehicles' to Israel has been authorized by
the UK government.
Recently, many right groups and political figures have urged the UK government
to stop the export of weapons to Israel, as the regime's deadly attacks
continue in the Gaza Strip, in violation of a UN Security Council resolution.
Last week, over a hundred lawmakers, from Britain's three main parties, issued
a statement, calling Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip as an
outrage that should not be allowed by the international community, and urging
an embargo on the supply of military equipment to both sides.
Campaigners against the arms trade also said that the sales must stop, citing
the latest Foreign Office annual report on human rights, which raised 'concerns
over whether Israel's use of lethal force has always been justifiable.'
"We have been particularly concerned that, in the course of Israeli Defence
Forces operations, too little effort has been made to avoid civilian
casualties. We are extremely concerned by the humanitarian situation in Gaza
and remain committed to supporting the Palestinian people."
In a soon to be released report, Amnesty International has also urged the
British government to stop selling weapons to Israel.
"The UK should suspend all arms exports to Israel, including indirect exports
via other countries and the sale of military components, until there is no
longer a substantial risk that such equipment will be used for serious
violations of human rights or international humanitarian law," says the UK
campaigns director for Amnesty International Tim Hancock.
During the 17-days Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip, over 900
Palestinians have lost their lives, while another 4080 have been wounded.
According to Hamas records, 33 Israeli soldiers have also been killed.
MJ/DT
PRESS NEWS
PoEtEsS
"Praise your struggles for they surprise you with many rewards…"Zohra Moosa
(Deaf Poet)
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The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Whoever
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follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all."
[Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah]
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