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Page last updated
March 10, 2007
Understanding the conflict
Britain and Israel-Palestine
page under construction
In principle Britain's policy towards Israel and Palestine is part of and in line with that of the EU as a whole. But within the EU, Britain is particularly supportive of Israeli policy (where France and others are much more critical). Despite strong statements from time to time by Tony Blair and others about the importance of a resolution to the conflict and the need for an independent Palestinian state, British policy has remained remarkably subservient to that of the US.
1. Ruth Tenne, Britain’s Arms Trade with Israel The Palestine Chronicle, 26 January 2007
"In spite of over 30 UN resolutions demanding the establishment of nuclear-free zone in the Middle East, Israel is reported to have over 400 thermonuclear and nuclear weapons (Jane's Intelligence Review, 1997) and is refusing to join the Non-Proliferation treaty (NPT) of which all Arab states are signatories."
2. A Legal Challenge to UK Foreign Policy toward Israel
AL-HAQ PRESS RELEASE, 15 November 2006
Al-Haq [West Bank affiliate of the international Commission of Jurists] is cooperating with solicitor Phil Shiner of Public Interest Lawyers firm (PIL) as part of its efforts to secure the implementation of the July 2004 International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion that found Israels construction of the Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) to be contrary to international law. Al-Haq has provided PIL with documentation on numerous cases regarding the impact of the Wall. On 15 November 2006, PIL lodged a complaint against the UK government in the High Court in London on behalf of Palestinians suffering as a result of the construction of the Wall.
PIL argued that the UKs granting of export licences for the sale of weapons to Israel breaches both its own Consolidated Criteria, as well as principles of international law reflected in the ICJ Advisory Opinion. It argued that the UK government should immediately review the legality and rationality of its arms trade with Israel, in light of clear recent evidence that arms related products from UK based companies are implicated in violations of international humanitarian law carried out by Israeli forces against Palestinians in the OPT. When reviewing its actions, the UK government must take full account of its legal obligations as reflected in the ICJ Advisory Opinion.
Al-Haq believes that the action taken by PIL provides hope for the Palestinian people by bringing attention to the lack of respect for international law in the OPT. By holding the UK accountable for its failure to meet its obligations as a third-party state, Al-Haq hopes that the UK and other states will become more mindful of their own international legal obligations with regard to violations carried out in the OPT. Al-Haq would like to express its gratitude and support to PIL for taking this courageous step.
Send messages of support to Al-Haq from their website and to Public Interest Lawyers.
