Britain May Suspend Arms To Israeli Military

The Government may suspend 12 licences to export arms to the Israeli military if war resumes in Gaza.

The revelation follows a review into the situation. However, ministers say they will not take action to stop the exports at the moment because of the ongoing ceasefire .

But they will be suspended in "the event of a resumption of significant hostilities".

The 72-hour truce began at midnight (10pm UK time) on Sunday, and talks are continuing in Cairo aimed at securing a lasting end to the month-long conflict.

The issue of arms export licences to Israel has been a source of contention within the Coalition.

The Lib Dems - including Business Secretary Vince Cable whose department issues licences - have called for them all to be suspended before now.

But they said they had met resistance among Conservatives for whom Israel is an important ally.

Sources said the latest move was a compromise that did not go as far as the party wanted.

Mr Cable said: "We welcome the current ceasefire in Gaza and hope that it will lead to a peaceful resolution.

"However the UK Government has not been able to clarify if the export licence criteria are being met.

"In light of that uncertainty we have taken the decision to suspend these existing export licences in the event of a resumption of significant hostilities."

He said new licences had been issued for use by the Israeli Defence Forces during the review - and that would continue until hostilities cease.

A spokesman for the Liberal Democrats added: "It is no secret that there has been a difference of opinion in the Coalition Government on this issue.

"Nick Clegg and Vince Cable have been very clear for some time both privately and publicly that they wanted to see arms export licences to Israel suspended because of the situation in Gaza.

"This is a Coalition and this is as far as we have been able to reach in collective agreement with the Conservatives.

"It has taken a significant amount of time and effort from Liberal Democrats in government to get us this far."

The review only highlighted 12 licences, saying the "vast majority" were not for items that could be used by the Israeli military. As such they will all remain in place whatever happens.

The Israeli Embassy in London said in a statement: "Israel regrets calls to cancel or freeze export licences, or to condition them on a non-recurrence of hostilities.

"Political decisions of this nature do not reflect Hamas' responsibility as a serial violator of past ceasefires, and are unlikely to contribute to the goal of negotiating a sustainable solution to the current conflict."