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| Scrutiny of the arms trade is much needed | Scrutiny of the arms trade is much needed |
| (about 2 months later) | |
| Letters | |
| Mon 27 Nov 2017 19.03 GMT | |
| Last modified on Mon 27 Nov 2017 23.10 GMT | |
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| I am writing to commend Damien Gayle’s article (Charges dropped over protest at Israeli military drones factory in UK, 23 November). It is important to document campaigns against the arms trade going on in the UK, as a necessary extension of war reporting in places like Palestine, Yemen and Iraq when companies based in the UK are supplying arms and equipment for these murderous conflicts, and where evidence of war crimes is regularly exposed. The campaign against the Israeli firm Elbit and its subsidiary UAV Engines has developed in response to Israel’s use of drones to bombard the civilian population of Gaza, in particular two intensive military campaigns, Operation Cast Lead in 2008-09 and Operation Protective Edge in 2014, which led to thousands of civilian deaths. The court case against the five activists marks the latest stage in the campaign, and the dropping of charges indicates that Elbit is aware of the risks of exposing in court the connections between UAV Engines and the killing of civilians in Gaza, potentially leaving the firm open to further sanctions and investigation. | I am writing to commend Damien Gayle’s article (Charges dropped over protest at Israeli military drones factory in UK, 23 November). It is important to document campaigns against the arms trade going on in the UK, as a necessary extension of war reporting in places like Palestine, Yemen and Iraq when companies based in the UK are supplying arms and equipment for these murderous conflicts, and where evidence of war crimes is regularly exposed. The campaign against the Israeli firm Elbit and its subsidiary UAV Engines has developed in response to Israel’s use of drones to bombard the civilian population of Gaza, in particular two intensive military campaigns, Operation Cast Lead in 2008-09 and Operation Protective Edge in 2014, which led to thousands of civilian deaths. The court case against the five activists marks the latest stage in the campaign, and the dropping of charges indicates that Elbit is aware of the risks of exposing in court the connections between UAV Engines and the killing of civilians in Gaza, potentially leaving the firm open to further sanctions and investigation. |
| The arms trade is deeply unpopular with many people while at the same time fulfilling a major role in the UK economy. It should be subject to the same standards of rigorous reporting as other sectors of the economy, regardless of the vested interests and strategic military considerations that allow the trade to continue, despite all the evidence of weapons and equipment being used to commit war crimes.Ben WillemsManchester | The arms trade is deeply unpopular with many people while at the same time fulfilling a major role in the UK economy. It should be subject to the same standards of rigorous reporting as other sectors of the economy, regardless of the vested interests and strategic military considerations that allow the trade to continue, despite all the evidence of weapons and equipment being used to commit war crimes.Ben WillemsManchester |
| • I had stopped buying the Guardian after 50 years of loyalty because of the steady drift away from its traditional readership, but will happily renew my order with my newsagent if Damian Gayle’s article is a sign of what I trust is a welcome change for the better.John TymonLondon | • I had stopped buying the Guardian after 50 years of loyalty because of the steady drift away from its traditional readership, but will happily renew my order with my newsagent if Damian Gayle’s article is a sign of what I trust is a welcome change for the better.John TymonLondon |
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| • Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters | • Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters |
| Drones (military) | |
| Israel | |
| Middle East and North Africa | |
| Gaza | |
| Palestinian territories | |
| War crimes | |
| letters | |
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