Salisbury vigil #127 well attended


Good turnout for the latest vigil. High level of recognition from passers-by

Excellent turnout to today’s vigil with around 35 coming. There was also a fairly steady flow of car horns from passing motorists. A larger number than usual of people stopped to take note – nearly a hundred – which is encouraging. In a few days it is Nakba Day, which commemorates the expulsion and death of at least 700,000 Arabs and Palestinians following the establishing of Jewish state in 1948 at the end of the British mandate. Prior to that event and the violence which took place in 1948/49, Jews and Palestinians lived side by side in the area together with other communities.

It is important to remember the events of 1948 which cast a shadow over what is happening today. In the photo below you’ll notice a key which has symbolic importance. When people were evicted from their homes by Israeli forces or the Hagana, they kept their keys in the hope of returning one day. It never happened as most of the settlements were destroyed. Much of our media focus on the terrible events of October 7th and ignore the considerably more massive events of an earlier era.

Nakba event

There will be an event run by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign in London on 16 May, see the Salisbury CND site for further details and background. Following the terrible events and attacks in Golders Green, there have been calls for a ban on marches such as this.

Being able to protest is an important right we have and governments of all persuasions have been keen to limit or control them. Labour has introduced further legislation and controls and left to their own devices would probably cancel this one. They are aided by some elements of the media labelling them ‘hate’ or ‘terror’ marches.

Once again we must note the absence of the local MP Mr John Glen at this or any of the previous 126 vigils. In a letter to the Salisbury Journal, which provides him with a column each week, he said he was a ‘proud member’ of the Conservative Friends of Israel lobby organisation in Westminster. Labour and LibDem MPs are also members of their respective friends groups making it the largest such lobby organisation.

A video of the vigil can be seen here, courtesy of Peter Gloyns (and the photo).

We shall be at People in the Park next Saturday 16th, so if you are interested in joining us or saying ‘hello’ that would be a good opportunity to do so.

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Violence, politicians, marches


Violence against Jews in UK has generated a lot of anger, fear and anxiety

May 2026

The 126th peace vigil in Salisbury took place on Saturday 2 May with around 30 present. It passed without incident. A video of the event is available here courtesy of Peter Gloyns. It took place at the end of a week in which a man attacked two Jewish men in Golders Green* and has been charged with attempted murder. Jews living in the area are reported to be fearful and places like synagogues are surrounded by security fences to protect them against attack. It follows other attacks against people and property and has resulted in the threat level being raised to ‘severe’.

The attacks have generated a huge amount of comment. It is perhaps unfortunate that the attack took place only days away from local elections which has led politicians to jostle with one another to make statements and promises some of which are regrettable.

We should not need reminding that article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and article 9 of the Human Rights Act both of which say that everyone has freedom of thought, conscience and religion. In passing we might want to reflect on the fact that several of these self-same politicians are keen for us to leave the European Convention on Human Rights and modify or repeal the Human Rights Act. All of which legislation protects the rights of minorities, like Jews and Muslims, to live their lives free from violence, intimidation and attacks.

These events cannot be detached from what is happening in the Middle East. One of the problems is the conflation between criticism of Israel, anti-Semitism and Zionism. The Israeli government has been keen to label any and all criticism of their actions in Gaza, south Lebanon, and the violent actions of their settlers in the West Bank, as anti-Semitic. This policy appears to have been successful in curtailing comment and criticism by some media organisations most notably the BBC. The accusation has been misused and has begun to lose much of its potency. It’s overuse paradoxically, weakens the claim when something truly is anti-Semitic.

Ban on marches

Another response to the attacks in Golders Green is to call for a ban on marches. This was the argument of the Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis. Labelled by some as ‘hate marches’ they have for the most part been peaceful and are held to promote the idea of a Palestinian state. The forthcoming march on May 16th being organised by the Stop the War Coalition is to go ahead as planned unless government or police action intervenes. It has to be recognised that marches of this kind are upsetting for some. They are noisy and although the great majority attending are reasonable people who want to draw attention to their cause, there is always a minority who want to cause trouble, who shout or display anti-Semitic statements and sometimes engage in violent actions.

Protest is part of our national culture and article 20 of the UDHR protects freedom of assembly. Governments have sought to whittle away this right with a series of laws curtailing or restricting them. Jonathan Reith of the Stop the War Coalition was interviewed on the BBC radio programme the World at One arguing that they are infrequent with the forthcoming one being only the second this year. Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for Health, was interviewed after Reith and described his interview as ‘nauseating’ for unexplained reasons. He is a member of Labour Friends of Israel.

An interesting event took place on the BBC Any Answers? programme on Saturday 2nd where members of the public can phone in and express their views following Any Questions? Two Jewish men phoned in. One said you cannot understand what we are seeing in this country away from the terrible events going on in the Middle East. The other said a problem was the conflation of Israel, anti-Semitism and Zionism. Too long one said the Israel government has claimed that any criticism of them was ‘anti-Semitic’. Many Jews were deeply upset by what’s happening in the Middle East.

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Another event took place during the week on Thursday 30 April. This was the interdiction on the high seas of the flotilla attempting to take aid to Gaza. The boats were seized near Crete. Called the Global Sumad Flotilla, Israeli forces seized the vessels and destroyed the engines and communications equipment in what was almost certainly a criminal act. The action was supported by the US. We can find no condemnation of what happened from the UK government.

*Golders Green is a suburb of London with a high concentration of Jewish residents.

We shall have a stall at the forthcoming People in the Park event and would welcome enquiries. For anyone thinking of joining the local group it would be a good time to make contact.

Troubling Double Down News film about the role of the BBC and other media in distorting how we view Israel.

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125 and counting …


The vigils continue while terrible events take place in the Middle East

April 2026

Over 30 attended our 125th vigil – an activity which we started with no intention of it lasting so long. But the violence continues, homes are being systematically destroyed in southern Lebanon, much of Gaza has been destroyed and the killings and starvation continue. So there is no let up and people need to be reminded of the terrible events which are taking place in the region and the suffering which is happening. The British government tries to play a double game of saying the right things and condemning the violence, but quietly continues to offer support and weapons to Israel.

Of interest is an article in the Observer newspaper concerning Forensic Architecture which forensically analyses and documents using architectural techniques, human rights abuses around the world. It was founded by a Jewish man Eyal Weizman who has just written a book Ungrounding: The Architecture of Genocide (Fern Press, pub. available on May 7th).  

He has devoted time to the genocide taking place in Gaza and his forensic methods enable a high degree of certainty to the crimes they describe. As usual with those pointing to these crimes, he has suffered de-platforming and the familiar accusations of anti-Semitism. This is especially inappropriate as not only is he a Jew but lost people ‘connected to my family’ as he put it, on October 7th massacre.

It is a long article but a particularly moving passages are:

“FA has also worked at a larger scale, mapping the pattern of expulsions driven by Israeli forces. On 13 October 2023, thousands of leaflets fell on Gaza City, telling residents to move out of what was now a “battlefield”.

“People were given 24 hours to evacuate. For some pro-Israeli commentators, this was a sign of humanity; that the IDF gave people the chance to avoid obliteration. Weizman calls the leaflets “some of the most lethal things to have fallen on Gaza”.

“They were the beginning of a pattern whereby people would be forced into hazardous journeys east and south towards the most barren parts of the [Gaza] strip, to the dunes where they would struggle to survive. Some would be attacked en route.

“Undergrounding tells how Israeli forces also attacked hospitals, schools, universities, mosques and churches. They destroyed orchards, farms, greenhouses, fishing boats, water desalination plants and wells. They polluted the land and the sea. They killed almost all the cattle, sheep, goats and poultry, blocked aid and attacked people who tried to receive it.

“According to Weizman “they engineered famine”. […]

He discusses the defence that Hamas are hiding in these facilities and therefore the destruction is justified. However, he argues that the scale of destruction show an intent that can only be called genocidal.

NGO Monitor the Jerusalem based organisation, says FA “through slick graphic presentations, [it] creates a façade of credibility to mask analyses that are consistently misleading, blatantly biased and based on unverifiable ‘evidence’,” (Israel does not allow independent journalists into Gaza).

May we draw your attention to the local CND website which has a number of posts of interest. Of particular note is the piece Murder Most Foul concerning the death of another journalist Amil Khalil and the practice of ‘double tapping’ that is after a bombing or missile attack waiting for medical staff to appear and mounting a second attack. In this case medical help was denied. The story was covered on Channel 4. At least 226 journalists have been killed in Gaza since October 7th making it the deadliest conflict in history.

72,344 have died in Gaza and over 172,000 injured, many of whom are children.

No sign of the local MP, Mr John Glen, who is a member of the well-funded Conservative Friends of Israel group and indeed, told the readers of the Salisbury Journal that he was a ‘proud member’ of the group.

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Photo: courtesy of Peter Gloyns

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Opposition to Death Penalty: UK Government’s Position


Government response to the petition

April 2026

The government has responded to the thousands who signed a petition concerning the Israeli government’s bill to enable the use of the death penalty against Palestinians with no chance of appeal. The response:

The UK opposes the death penalty in all circumstances. The Government has raised concerns with the Government of Israel and will continue to do so. The Death Penalty for Terrorists bill introduces a mandatory death sentence for terrorism-related murders, with no right of appeal. The powers would in practice apply almost exclusively to military courts trying Palestinians in the West Bank. 

The UK has expressed our deep concern about the bill, as it would significantly expand the possibilities to impose the death penalty in Israel. We have been clear, publicly and privately, that we oppose the death penalty in all circumstances. The death penalty has not been used in Israel for over 60 years, and this legislation risks being a regressive step enabling its use. Following its passage at second and third readings in the Knesset the bill is now law subject to legal challenge via Israel’s independent judicial system.

The Foreign Secretary spoke to the Israeli Foreign Minister and called for further plans to introduce this bill to be abandoned. On 29 March, the UK issued a joint statement with Foreign Ministers of Australia, Germany, France, Italy and New Zealand urging the Government of Israel to abandon plans for the death penalty bill. The statement can be found here: Joint statement on Israel’s Death Penalty Bill: 29 March 2026 –
GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-statement-on-israels-death-penalty-bill-29-march-2026).

As set out in the statement, the UK and other signatories oppose the death penalty, reflecting a long-standing and shared commitment to abolition. The UK Government believes that the death penalty’s use undermines human dignity, that there is no conclusive evidence of its deterrent value, and that any miscarriage of justice leading to its imposition is irreversible and irreparable.

We particularly deplore any failure to observe the relevant international standards, defined by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.More broadly, the UK Government continues to call on the Government of Israel to uphold international law and human rights. This includes respecting the fundamental rights of detainees and prisoners, ensuring due process, and refraining from actions that risk further exacerbating tensions or inflaming an already fragile situation.

The UK continues to support international efforts to reduce violence, protect civilians, and promote respect for the rule of law. We firmly believe that lasting security for Israelis and Palestinians can only be achieved through progress on the Gaza ceasefire and the 20-point plan, an end to the annexation threats and settler violence in the West Bank, and a realistic political horizon for the two-state solution. We will continue to work closely with international partners, including the United Nations and civil society, to promote human rights, accountability, and oppose the death penalty worldwide. We will keep developments under close review and continue to raise our concerns where legislation or policy risks undermining international legal norms.

The Government is grateful to those who have engaged through the petitions process. Public engagement on issues of human rights helps inform and strengthen the UK’s foreign policy, and we remain committed to advancing these values internationally.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office 

Amnesty is opposed to the penalty in all circumstances and publishes a report on its use each month.

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Foreign Office to close monitoring unit

Office desk with multiple labeled stacks of documents, computer monitors, and office chair near window showing cityscape

Unit responsible for collecting information on conflict incidents is to close

April 2026

The news is variously described as ‘unbelievable’ or ‘incredible’ but is reported to be true: the Labour government is to close the Conflict and Security Monitoring Unit which collects, verifies and analyses human rights incidents in Israel and in the occupied territories. It hardly needs saying that the necessity for such a unit is essential at the present time with significant human rights violations taking place in Gaza, the West Bank and now in south Lebanon.

But it is to close. One of the Unit’s functions was to advise on the supply of arms to Israel so one wonders where that advice is to come from in future. The decision is reported to have been taken by Sir Oliver Robbins who was sacked by the prime minister last week over the Peter Mandelson affair.

Only on 9th of this month, the Foreign Secretary was delivering a speech in the Mansion House extolling her and her government’s belief in the rule of law and human rights. Part of her speech is:

“But for a Labour government it is a fundamental part of our moral purpose to stand up against global disease and hunger, and help those trapped in crises caused by conflict or climate breakdown. We know that supporting development is not just about our party’s values but about our national interests: tackling insecurity and building partnerships abroad helps our security and economy back home.

“The role that rules-based frameworks play is vital, and respect for the rule of law is a core British value that supports our national interest, underpins our economic stability, makes us a reliable place for international investment, while the whole world spins around us and underpins our security and prosperity.” (our italics)

Pious words. Yvette Copper is another MP who is a member of Labour Friends of Israel.

It is vital that the FCDO has accurate information both for any future war crimes and to advise on the sale of arms to the IDF. The decision has been criticised by Human Rights Watch and by the Campaign Against the Arms Trade. Katie Fallon, the advocacy manager at CAAT said:

“Closing the IHL cell would protect ministers and senior Foreign Office officials “who know that they have been manipulating the data on potential violations of International Human Rights Law, beyond any logical interpretation, to obscure unimaginable violations and crimes committed against the most vulnerable people in conflict and sustain arms sales at any cost.

“The timing of this closure is notable. As Olly Robbins explained to a parliamentary committee this week, the civil service is under pressure to give the government the answers that they want. Nowhere is this more clear than on ensuring arms sales to ‘allies’ continue, despite the risks of war crimes.”

Sources: Guardian, Middle East Eye, Human Rights Watch, FCDO, Wales Herald

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War, war, war


Hostilities continue with little sign of lasting peace let alone reconciliation

April 2026

There is a ceasefire in Gaza/killings continue; the straight of Hormuz is open/the straight of Hormuz is closed; the Iranians have agreed to hand over their nuclear material/the Iranians will not hand over their nuclear material; there is a ceasefire in southern Lebanon/homes continue to be demolished in southern Lebanon. Welcome to the now you see it, now you don’t world of Middle East warfare.

At one level it is bizarre. Largely stemming from Washington, it seems to represent a desperate desire by the Americans and President Trump to claim some kind of victory for the ill-considered and catastrophic war they were persuaded into by the Israelis. At another level it is a disaster in which death, destruction and human misery is foisted on the peoples of Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. The killing is wanton. The pretence that the bombing and killing is directed at terrorists and because innocent people are human shields seems no longer to be the story in town.

In addition to the visible destruction there is the treatment of Palestinians in prisons around Israel which the latest UN report discusses. In exposing this practice, Francesca Albanese has been atrociously treated by the Americans as we discussed in our previous post.

Any Questions? and Danny Kruger

It is disappointing to listen to some of our politicians speaking in support of this continuing violence and carnage in the region as some kind of solution to the problems there. One such is the Reform politician Danny Kruger, the MP For East Wiltshire, a constituency touching on Salisbury. In a BBC radio programme called ‘Any Questions?’ where members of the audience put questions to a panel of – for the most part – politicians, he said in answer to a question on the Pope’s comments about Donald Trump:

“[It is] important that the Americans and Israelis win this war (audience demurs) and it is important the right side comes out on top. The Americans and Israelis were right to recognise that Iran poses and existential threat to its own region and to the safety of the world. One day we are going to have to take on the challenge of defeating the Iranian regime, the most evil regime in the world and I recognise why so many people are appalled at how President Trump conducts himself. […]

“But guys, you’ve got to be on the right side of this conflict. […] Fundamentally, the Iranians are the bad guys in this conflict and it’s really important that their power to develop nuclear weapons and their power to support terrorist organisations around the region – and in this country – [are] degraded. So I really, really hope that the outcome of this conflict is a weaker Iran [no audience applause].” (our italics)

Noticeable in this one-sided approach to the conflict is the absence of balance. No one would claim that the Iranian regime is other than a violent and unpleasant one, but the language of ‘winning’, ‘defeat’ and the desire to see a ‘weaker Iran’ is disappointing to say the least. Since it is Israel which has been engaged in bombing and assassinations, the absence of any mention of their activities – the killing of over 70,000 in Gaza for example, and the current process of demolitions in south Lebanon – is questionable. Is it only Iran posing an ‘existential threat to the region?’. Israel is the only nuclear power after all. One wonders if Mr Kruger has ever read the speeches of Ben Gvir or Bezalel Smotrich? It is especially disappointing to hear a politician like Mr Kruger – someone who regularly espouses his Christian faith and beliefs – to speak in terms of violence as a solution to the problems of the region.

Caterpillar Tractors

On the subject of demolitions, our attention has been drawn to a YouTube post on the activities of the American plant company Caterpillar which provides the armoured machines enabling the demolitions in south Lebanon and Gaza to be carried out. See ‘How Caterpillar profits from the genocide in Gaza and [US citizens] pay for it.‘

124th vigil

Yes, they continue with over 30 yesterday (18 April) with around 40 passing motorists sounding their horns.

No sign though of another local MP, Mr John Glen – nor any mention of them in his weekly column in the Salisbury Journal – who is a ‘proud’ member of Conservatives Friends of Israel the biggest lobby organisation in Parliament. Hundreds of his constituents turned out and have done so for 124 weeks, yet not a word. Along with some Labour ministers like Peter Kyle and David Lammy, they are part of a large contingent of around 150 MPs who promote the interests of Israel in parliament.

Photo courtesy of Peter Gloyns

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UN rapporteur sanctioned by the US


The UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese sanctioned and subject to death threats

April 2026

Francesca Albanese is the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories since 1967. She has documented the extreme violence meted out on the Palestinians by Israel settlers and the IDF and for her pains has been sanctioned by the US President Donald Trump as a ‘specially designated national’. She is the first UN to have received this designation which puts her alongside drug traffickers and dictators. This has had serious consequences for her including the seizure of her Washington apartment and not being able to use a credit card anywhere in the world because they are all processed by American firms. There was considerable lobbying for this to happen.

She has received this treatment because of her reporting on the extreme violence used against Palestinians by Israel and by calling their behaviour genocide.

We are currently witnessing the invasion of southern Lebanon and the demolition of many villages.

In the West Bank, settler violence in 2026 so far, has displaced more Palestinians than in the whole of 2025. Around 1,000 have been killed since 2023 a quarter of whom were children. This is part of a pattern of violent displacement, demolition, evictions and crippling movement and access restrictions. The UN reports that ‘Israeli authorities directed, participated in or enabled settler violence’.

Albanese was interviewed recently in a Guardian piece and expands on her role and the politicians around the world who have been complicit in the violence. She has little time for Sir Keir Starmer and the aid and cover he has given Israel describing him as a ‘monster’ for arguing in 2023 that Israel ‘has the right’ to cut off electricity and gas to Gaza. “You’re not a human rights person at all” she says “if you say such a monstrosity. And the university who gave you your law degree should take it away from you.” [In the subsequent furore Sir Keir claimed he was “questioned by members” and he “made it clear it is not and has never been my view that Israel had the right to cut off water, food, fuel or medicines. International law must be followed.”]

Exceptionally ruthless physical and psychological abuse

This March, the UN published its latest report on the treatment and torture of hundreds of Palestinians and an extract says:

“In custody, Palestinian captives have been subjected to exceptionally ruthless physical and psychological abuse, on a scale and with an intensity without precedent in the history of Palestine/Israel. Brutal beatings, sexual violence, rape, lethal mistreatment, starvation and the systematic deprivation of the most basic human conditions have inflicted profound and lasting scars on the bodies and minds of tens of thousands of Palestinians and their loved ones. These practices demonstrate that the detention system of Israel has descended into a regime of systemic and widespread humiliation, coercion, and terror, aimed at stripping Palestinians not only of their liberty but of their dignity, identity and even the most basic sense of humanity. Far from isolated excesses, such conduct has been institutionalized within detention structures, politically endorsed by Israeli authorities and publicly justified, or even celebrated, by segments of society”. [para 84]

A report by UN Watch repudiates all of Albanese’s conclusions. The organisation is affiliated to the American Jewish Committee.

Peace of any kind seems a long way off in the region. The bombing and assassinations in Iran, the massive death toll in Gaza, increasing violence in the West Bank and now the invasion of southern Lebanon seems to show a pattern of violence as a kind of first port of call for the nation. Assisted by the US they are immensely powerful militarily and seem to have no real wish to compromise and certainly not recognise a Palestinian state. The tragedy is that it will not bring them the security they so desperately desire. A new generation of people with hatred towards Israel is in the making and will come to haunt them in years to come.

The treatment of Albanese is wholly unjustified and vindictive. Her reports can be criticised and errors pointed out in the normal way. But the death threats to her and her family, the seizing of her apartment and other coercive measures are wholly unacceptable.

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Will peace talks succeed?


Peace negotiations unlikely to bear fruit

April 2026

This is being written while negotiations are taking place in Islamabad to see if a solution can be found to the war between the US, Israel and Iran. It does not look hopeful but maybe we will be writing a post soon to record a successful conclusion, let us hope so. UPDATE 13th April: talks fail.

The 123rd vigil took place in Salisbury this Saturday ((11th) and was well attended as usual. Two groups joined us at various times which is always nice to see. There were many motorists who sounded their horns. There is a video of the event.

There was a protest which took place in London with over 500 arrested despite the peaceful nature of the event. It was in aid of Palestine Action organised by Defend our Juries. Under the guise of shortening the waiting lists for trials, the government is proposing to end jury trials in certain circumstances. One reason might be that juries have a habit of acquitting people in cases involving protest and climate actions.

The High Court has ruled that the prescription is ‘disproportionate and unlawful’. The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is appealing this decision which will be heard in two weeks time.

Killing continues in Gaza

Meanwhile, the killing continues. Gaza has dropped out of the news with the war in Iran and the partial closure of the Straight of Hormuz taking the attention. But since the ceasefire, 749 have lost their lives which makes it a peculiar kind of ceasefire. Supplies of food and other necessities are still being restricted by the Israelis. The death toll stands are 72,328 with around 172,000 injured. 2,000 have now been killed in Lebanon.

There is a kind of paradox with the government keen to support Israel who are in the process of attacking Lebanon and continuing to allow arms sales to take place. Israel is using white phosphorus in Lebanon, a dreadful weapon. It is accused of genocide in Gaza and has occupied nearly all the agriculturally valuable land. Settlers have stepped up their attacks on Palestinians living in the West Bank and destroying their property with impunity. Apartheid is practised. They have led the US into an unwinnable war in Iran. The Knesset has just passed a law which will lead to the execution of Palestinians in the West Bank, probably following confessions or evidence achieved using torture. On these matters the government are largely silent whereas they take resolute action against hundreds of those who peacefully protest. A bizarre contradiction.

As usual there was no sign of the local MP Mr John Glen who announced in the Salisbury Journal he was ‘proud’ to be a member of the Conservative Friends of Israel organisation. He has never mentioned the vigils in his weekly Journal column. In a Bylines piece, membership of this organisation is questioned asking how is it possible for MPs and ministers to accept the hospitality and to remain impartial and act on behalf of those who voted them in? Israel has invested around £1m in this lobbying – evidently money well spent. Mr Glen clearly does not represent the views of those attending the vigil and probably other constituents as well. The Trade minister Peter Kyle is a member of the Labour equivalent.

Sources: Guardian, Independent, Declassified, Salisbury Journal; Haaretz.

Video and photo courtesy of Peter Gloyns. See also the SCIP website for two events of interest.

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April minutes and newsletter


April 2026

We attach the minutes and newsletter of our April meeting thanks to group member Lesley for compiling them. They contain a lot of material and details of future activities appear towards the end. If you were thinking of joining us (it’s free) then coming along to one of these events would be a good start.

April minutes and newsletter (Word)Download
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Government deceit concerning arms exports


Research reveals arms sold to Israel for re-export never were

April 2026

Selling arms carries with it the risk that they will be used not for legitimate purposes of defence but for illegal or offensive actions and the killing of innocent people. They can contribute to the tens of millions of displaced people and refugees who flee persecution or civil wars. As a member of the Security Council and a major exporter of arms, the UK has a particular responsibility to ensure arms go to where they are intended and do not end up in the hands of countries or parties engaged in civil wars or insurrection.

The UK is seriously falling down in this duty and arguably, knows it to be the case. It seems more concerned with boosting exports and less interested in where or with whom the weapons end up. In a previous post we commented on the weak controls on arms sales to the UAE which evidence strongly suggest end up in the hands of Sudanese rebels, the RSF. in this post we discuss evidence of arms sales to Israel being used on the Golan Heights illegally occupied by Israel since 1967.

Both are aspects of the same problem: weapons supposedly going to a friendly power being sent on to one which isn’t or are being misused. The evidence seems to suggest a lack of control or curiosity by government and civil servants. In both cases the weapons have caused a huge number of deaths and injury.

Re-export loophole

The Campaign Against the Arms Trade and Declassified UK have unearthed some shady practice concerning weapons sales to Israel. A £120 million transaction involving components was concluded for arms to go to Israel for onward export to Romania. Only they didn’t. The licences were for Watchkeeper drone (pictured) components by Elbit Systems, the Israeli arms company with plants in the UK. Elbit then quietly, they suggest, repeatedly issued a force majeure clause thus preventing the component leaving Israel. [The Declassified report also discusses the issue of waste which is outside our human rights brief].

CAAT and Declassified wrote to the Business and Trade sub-Committee on Economic Security and Export Controls asking for an investigation. Their work has revealed that the UK has zero ‘end-use monitoring’ allowing arms companies to divert weapons with near impunity. The government still claims it has ‘robust monitoring’ in place which seems utterly absurd and at variance with the evidence.

Following these investigations, Romania has threatened to cancel a $400m contract with Elbit Systems whereupon Elbit says it will begin delivery. Can they be trusted?

It seems clear that UK controls on sales are lax or almost non-existent. The lack of end-user monitoring and issuing open licences means arms end up almost anywhere. The desire to sustain arms sales and the UK’s arms industry seems to trump issues of humanity and the death and destruction that these weapons cause. Claims of robust controls are absurd and dishonest.

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