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| UK ends Israel weapons contracts | UK ends Israel weapons contracts |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The UK has revoked five export licences for equipment to the Israeli navy because of actions during Israel's Operation Cast Lead in Gaza this year. | The UK has revoked five export licences for equipment to the Israeli navy because of actions during Israel's Operation Cast Lead in Gaza this year. |
| The British Foreign office said the exports would now contravene its criteria for arms sales, but denied that it had imposed a partial embargo. | The British Foreign office said the exports would now contravene its criteria for arms sales, but denied that it had imposed a partial embargo. |
| The UK says it does not sell weapons which might be used for internal repression or external aggression. | The UK says it does not sell weapons which might be used for internal repression or external aggression. |
| Israel says its troops complied fully with international law during missions. | Israel says its troops complied fully with international law during missions. |
| The 22-day operation which ended on 18 January has been widely condemned as disproportionate by critics. | The 22-day operation which ended on 18 January has been widely condemned as disproportionate by critics. |
| UK sued over Israel arms sales Amnesty details Gaza 'war crimes' Israelis followed law in Gaza | UK sued over Israel arms sales Amnesty details Gaza 'war crimes' Israelis followed law in Gaza |
| The British government has been challenged by human rights groups and members of the UK parliament over concerns raised by Amnesty International that British-made equipment was used illegally in Gaza. | The British government has been challenged by human rights groups and members of the UK parliament over concerns raised by Amnesty International that British-made equipment was used illegally in Gaza. |
| Amnesty says both Israel and Hamas committed war crimes during the conflict. | Amnesty says both Israel and Hamas committed war crimes during the conflict. |
| In April, the British government issued a statement saying it had not contravened its own guidelines, which it described as "stringent", but said it was was reviewing existing licences. | In April, the British government issued a statement saying it had not contravened its own guidelines, which it described as "stringent", but said it was was reviewing existing licences. |
| On Monday, the Foreign Office said in a statement that it had conducted the review, and found "in a small number of cases Israeli action in Cast Lead would result in the export of those goods now contravening the criteria". | On Monday, the Foreign Office said in a statement that it had conducted the review, and found "in a small number of cases Israeli action in Cast Lead would result in the export of those goods now contravening the criteria". |
| An unnamed Israeli official said five of 35 contracts for naval equipment had been cancelled. | An unnamed Israeli official said five of 35 contracts for naval equipment had been cancelled. |
| Media reports quoted Israeli officials as saying these all related to the Saar 4.5 gunboat. | Media reports quoted Israeli officials as saying these all related to the Saar 4.5 gunboat. |
| 'Not bothered' | |
| In April, the British Foreign Office said there were "credible reports" that the vessels had been used in a "naval fire support role" during Operation Cast Lead. | In April, the British Foreign Office said there were "credible reports" that the vessels had been used in a "naval fire support role" during Operation Cast Lead. |
| DIFFERENT DEATH TOLLS Palestinians killed during Israeli military offensive in Gaza, 27 Dec to 18 Jan - Palestinian claims followed by Israelis claims: Total dead: 1,434 / 1,166 | |
| Fighters: 235 / 710-870 | |
| Non-combatants: 906 / 295-460 | |
| Women: 121 / 49 | |
| Children under 16: 288 / 89 | |
| Sources: Palestinian Centre for Human Rights and Israeli Defence Intelligence Research Dept | |
| The British Foreign Office said future decisions would "take into account what has happened in the recent conflict". | The British Foreign Office said future decisions would "take into account what has happened in the recent conflict". |
| "We do not grant export licences where there is a clear risk that arms will be used for external aggression or internal repression," it said. | "We do not grant export licences where there is a clear risk that arms will be used for external aggression or internal repression," it said. |
| Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman told Israeli public radio: "We've had many embargoes in the past... We can manage. This shouldn't bother us." | Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman told Israeli public radio: "We've had many embargoes in the past... We can manage. This shouldn't bother us." |
| Palestinian rights groups say about 1,400 Palestinians died during the operation. | Palestinian rights groups say about 1,400 Palestinians died during the operation. |
| Thirteen Israelis died during the conflict, nine of them were soldiers serving in Gaza. | Thirteen Israelis died during the conflict, nine of them were soldiers serving in Gaza. |
| Israel said its operation aimed to reduce rocket fire from Gaza aimed at its southern towns. | Israel said its operation aimed to reduce rocket fire from Gaza aimed at its southern towns. |