Report: Jump in UK arms sales to Israel

[Judi Lynn]

(04.06.06, 08:14)

Report: Jump in UK arms sales to Israel

British Guardian newspaper says UK selling highest number of weapons to Israel since 1999
Ynet

The number of licenses approved for the exports of weapons to countries accused by Britain of violating human rights has risen significantly in the past year, The British Guardian newspaper reported Thursday morning.

According to the report, licenses for sales of arms to Israel totaled 25 million pounds. The weapons sold include armored vehicles and
missile components. The number of approvals for sales to Saudi Arabia rose by 25 percent, and also stands at 25 million pounds.

The authors of the article concluded with quarter-annual statistics publicized by the British foreign office and the "Campaign Against Arms Trade" organization. The figures show that another country wthat purchased a large quantity of weapons, worth 12.5 million pounds, is Indonesia.

Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia were 11 of the 20 countries presented in the annual report by the British foreign offices as countries of concern on the issue of human rights, and which despite that are able to purchase military equipment from Britain. "Campaign Against Arms Trade" also said that Britain approved arms sales to 14 out of 17 countries involved in armed conflict.
(snip/...)

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3236858,00.html

[Behind the Aegis]

1. Fascinating!

Many others also got an increase or were on the "no-no" list, but which country is in the title of the article? Israel!

Smells of bias! But not unexpected!

Ask yourself why the wording...then, ask yourself...why "beef up" Israel and Saudi Arabia? Maybe a little British thinking of "if they fight each other, we won't have to fight them here...or anywhere else because they kill each other."

[Stockholm]

3. I agree!

Biased heading indeed.

However, no shadow should fall on CAAT:s reporting, In my view they are rather balanced in their critisism.

http://www.caat.org.uk/caatnews/2006index.php

[Behind the Aegis]

4. Hardly balanced!

Explore deeper into their dank recess.

[Stockholm]

10. I would need you to guide me to some examples

Thanks

[Behind the Aegis]

11. Go to that site...

...and type in "Jewish" in the search function. If you know your history, you will see MANY glaring errors. Or, type in "Israel" and you will get similar results.

[Stockholm]

12. Sorry could not find any

glaring errors. :shrug:

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. Because the sales to Israel nearly doubled

and change is news.

The number of arms export licences granted for countries the government accuses of human rights abuses increased significantly over the past year, the latest official figures show.

They also show that licences for weapons sales to Saudi Arabia increased by 25% last year, to £25m. They included sales of assault rifles, riot control equipment and body armour.

Licences for British arms sales to Israel last year amounted to nearly £25m, almost double the previous year. The licences covered the export of armoured vehicles and missile components.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1747892,00.html

Why? Money, of course. Arms being one of the few manufacturing exports left in Britain, the government will do lots to ensure they can sell to as many people as possible. Israel and Suadi Arabia are two of the richer countries importing arms with dubious human rights records, so it's not surprising to see these sales.

[Behind the Aegis]

9. Didn't say they didn't.

However....11 out of 20 "no-no" countries got arms, so why didn't the article read, "UK sells arms to human rights abusive countries?" Or even, "UK sells £25m worth of arms to Israel and Saudi Arabia?"

No, it is not simply that the sales to Israel doubled "and change is news," it is simply because the UK press can use "Israel" as a headline of repulsion.

[baby_mouse]

2. The British arms trade.

Vile pestilence on my once green and pleasant land.

I am becoming more and more ashamed of being a British subject as time passes.

[Behind the Aegis]

5. Why?

You say, "I am becoming more and more ashamed of being a British subject as time passes." Why?

I am not ashamed to be American, despite our current administration. I despise what they do, but it doesn't change my pride at being American. To me, it is no different than if, G-d forbid, one my brothers were to kill another person. I would be ashamed at his actions, but I would not be ashamed of being a "family name." I am not ashamed of being 'white,' despite the actions of whites that came before me.

[baby_mouse]

7. Accept that I am.

Clearly you and I view nationality differently.

[Behind the Aegis]

8. Done.

I feel sorry that you find little pride in being British because of the actions of your government.

Accept that I find that sad.

[muriel_volestrangler]

13. But the governments are elected by our respective fellow countrymen

which shows high levels of apathy, ignorance, selfishness or immorality amongst us.