De Guardian bericht:'Military sales to Israel challenged.
Richard Norton-Taylor
Wednesday November 15, 2006 The Guardian
The government is being taken to court today over the sale of military equipment to Israel including parts for Apache helicopter gunships, laser range finders, and communications equipment.
Saleh Hasan, a Palestinian who lives in Bethlehem, argues that the sales are in breach of the government's guidelines covering arms exports and are unlawful. The guidelines say exports should be blocked when there is a "clear risk" they "might be used for internal repression".
Mr Hasan's lawyers point to comments by Foreign Office minister Kim Howells in the Commons in August that "almost any use of equipment ... could be used aggressively, especially in occupied areas".
They point out that after British military equipment was used in the occupied territories in 2002, Jack Straw, then foreign secretary, said he would no longer take Israeli assurances into account. Mr Howells said that approach "still holds true".
Michael Fordham QC says in his court challenge on behalf of Mr Saleh that there is also clear evidence of human rights abuses by Israeli forces.'
Saleh Hasan, a Palestinian who lives in Bethlehem, argues that the sales are in breach of the government's guidelines covering arms exports and are unlawful. The guidelines say exports should be blocked when there is a "clear risk" they "might be used for internal repression".
Mr Hasan's lawyers point to comments by Foreign Office minister Kim Howells in the Commons in August that "almost any use of equipment ... could be used aggressively, especially in occupied areas".
They point out that after British military equipment was used in the occupied territories in 2002, Jack Straw, then foreign secretary, said he would no longer take Israeli assurances into account. Mr Howells said that approach "still holds true".
Michael Fordham QC says in his court challenge on behalf of Mr Saleh that there is also clear evidence of human rights abuses by Israeli forces.'
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