#StopArmingIsrael

UK Government #StopArmingIsrael

The British government must stop funding Israeli war crimes by cancelling its arms export licenses to Israel.

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Write to tell James Cleverly, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to Stop Arming Israel

 

 

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I am writing to you to express my deep concern at the role the British arms industry is playing in fuelling the Israel-Palestine conflict and to call on the government to cancel all arms export licenses to Israel.

The UK government has approved over £490 million worth of arms exports to Israel since 2014, including components for sniper rifles, grenade launchers and armed drones similar to those used against unarmed Palestinians this year. It has also included a swathe of larger weapons including F-35 Jets – which have been used in numerous bombing campaigns over Gaza.

The United Kingdom’s government rightly emphasises human rights on the world stage, yet the insufficient oversight of UK arms sales is fuelling violations of international law and directly contributing to the suffering of the Palestinian people.

While the government claims the UK has “the most robust export controls in the world” this is contradicted by a situation in which arms are being exported against the criteria set out in the rules. Applications are considered against criteria which state that sales should be refused if there is even a risk that weapons would be used for violations of international law, for “internal repression” or to “assert by force a territorial claim”. In the case of the Israeli administration’s current military activities it appears highly likely that such violations are taking place.

If the government is to live up to its own words it must implement a comprehensive and immediate ban on arms sales to Israel, rather than simply standing by while innocent people are killed by weapons produced in the UK.

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UK Government #StopArmingIsrael

We are calling for the British government to stop funding Israeli war crimes by cancelling its arms export licenses to Israel. UK-made weapons are currently used to oppress Palestinians by using excessive and violent force, making their daily lives unbearable.

 

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FAQ

How much money has UK licenses provided Israel with in arms?

According to figures from the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) the UK arms to Israel export was valued at £119 million between 2013 and 2016.

What do UK military exports / licenses to Israel include?

Military exports to Israel in 2016 included electronic warfare equipment such as missiles, with almost half the total spent was used on military aircraft, missiles, and radars and other control equipment. These controls assist in targeting missiles into Gaza, where on top of these military assaults, there is an ongoing humanitarian crisis.

What is the impact on Palestinians?

These weapons have caused over 39,512 injuries and 2,623 deaths of Palestinians in the last 3 years. They have also permitted the systematic oppression of the Palestinians in their use by the Israeli military and police forces, who use these weapons violently towards Palestinians at checkpoints, on illegal house raids and in the prison system.

More Campaigns

#CheckTheLabel

During the month of Ramadan Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection and to get closer to God. It is also about remembering the unfortunate and the poor.

The end of each day of fasting is marked by having iftar, this is the meal to end the days fast. Iftar usually begins by eating a date.

Unfortunately, many Muslims break their fast with Israeli dates. These dates help maintain the illegal occupation of Palestine.

Breaking fasts with Israeli dates counter the essence of justice and fairness that Muslims try to instil within themselves during Ramadan.

Please check the label and not buy Israeli dates to break your fasts. Israeli dates are labelled from Israel, West Bank and Jordan Valley.

Dates from West Bank and the Jordan Valley are most likely grown from illegal Israeli settlements, on land stolen from Palestinians.

Israeli settlements are extremely harmful for the Palestinian people. For an Israeli settlement to be built Palestinian people are forcibly removed from their homes, their homes are demolished and they are then denied access to their own land.

As a part of the process of colonisation of Palestine, Israel takes over Palestinian land, sets up companies on that stolen land and they then employ some Palestinians who have no option but to work there since Israel has taken away the opportunity for them to work for themselves. Palestinians would rather have their land back and than have called for a boycott of Israeli goods.

So, what can you do about this?

1) When doing your Ramadan shopping, #CheckTheLabel on the date package to see the ‘origin of’/’produce of’.

Do not buy dates labelled from Israel, West Bank and the Jordan Valley. Some Israeli brands to avoid are shown in the image below.

If you shop online, before you add the dates to your cart, check where the dates are from as this information is usually listed.

To confuse the customer, some Israeli brands have labelled themselves as ‘Produce of Palestine’. Our research, at present, can only verify genuine Palestinian brands as shown in the image below.

2) Email the foreign secretary urging the UK government to ban trade with Israeli settlements.

The UK government repeatedly condemn Israeli violations and settlements, but continue to trade with them. This is evident in the fact that the UK is Israel’s second largest market for dates that in 2020 was worth nearly £28 million. Trade is a huge aspect in sustaining these illegal Israeli settlements.

You can email the foreign secretary above.

Make sure this Ramadan you are not helping Israel maintain its occupation by eating Israeli dates.

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#NotInMyFridge

Central Bottling Company (CBC) is an Israeli manufacturer and distributor of soft drinks, dairy products and alcoholic beverages.

Coca-Cola profits from the occupation by working with CBC which sells its drinks in Israel. CBC has a Coca-Cola factory in Atarot illegal Israeli settlement. Israeli settlements are built on land stolen from Palestinians and are illegal under international law.

By having it’s Israeli franchise in illegal settlements, Coca-Cola ignores international law and profits from the illegal occupation.

FOA is calling for Coca-Cola to cut ties with CBC.

Buying from companies which work in settlements such as Coca Cola means we as consumers are turning a blind eye to the illegal occupation of Palestinian land.

 

 

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