Israel: Arms Sales (Hansard, 20 November 1996)

§ Lord Chesham
My Lords, our defence links with Israel are limited, but progress in the Middle East peace process over the last few years has allowed the development of contacts of the kind we would expect to have with any friendly country.

§ Lord Mayhew
My Lords, can the Minister recall Mr. Rifkind's recent statement urging the Israeli Government, in the most detailed and serious terms, not to stall the peace process? The statement urged them in particular to stop the building of settlements on the West Bank which Mr. Rifkind described as illegal and an obstacle to peace. If it is persisted in, it seems likely to lead to an explosion of violence in Palestine. Is the Minister aware that since Mr. Rifkind said that, there has been no change in the policies of the Israeli Government? Not only that, but they have just announced a massive settlement building plan in the West Bank. In those circumstances, is this the right time to invite an Israeli minister to London to promote the sale of British arms to Israel?

§ Lord Chesham
My Lords, I am aware of what the Foreign Secretary said when he visited Israel and the occupied territories on 3rd November. He also visited Hebron. We shall maintain a firm line on the key issues, the principal one including settlements.
The reference to inviting the Israeli Defence Minister here is not accurate. He is here on a routine private visit. He is meeting the Foreign Secretary shortly and Mr. Rifkind will ask for an update on the interim agreement implementation, including Hebron redeployment. He will also raise reports of settlement 1261 expansion and the effects on aid delivery of the Israeli closure of the West Bank and Gaza. Those matters will be raised very firmly.

§ Lord Wright of Richmond
My Lords, can the Minister give us an assurance that even if arms sales to Israel are no longer dependent—as they were, I think rightly—on Israeli withdrawal from South Lebanon, the Government will continue to press the Israelis to withdraw from that part of Lebanon which they occupy in defiance of United Nations Security Council resolutions?

§ Lord Chesham
Yes, my Lords.

§ Lord Archer of Sandwell
My Lords, wherever the responsibility may lie for the difficulties with the peace process, can the noble Lord set at rest the minds of the House and the nation? Can he assure us that the stated guidelines for the sale of armaments are really the criteria and that Israel or anyone else will be judged by those guidelines and not by any hidden agenda?

§ Lord Chesham
Absolutely, my Lords.

§ Lord Jenkins of Putney
My Lords, is the Minister aware that if we were less dependent upon arms sales for our economic welfare, it would be possible for the Government to be more discriminating?

§ Lord Chesham
My Lords, I do not really accept that.

§ Lord Mayhew
My Lords, the Minister referred to the Israeli Defence Minister's meeting with the Foreign Secretary and what would be the agenda. He did not say that he would also be discussing the promotion of British arms.

§ Lord Chesham
My Lords, he will not be discussing the promotion of British arms with the Foreign Secretary. I believe that he will also see the Secretary of State for Defence who will discuss bilateral defence relations and regional security questions.

§ Lord Williams of Elvel
My Lords, in that case, will the Secretary of State for Defence be trying to promote British arms? If so, will he also be promoting the sales of British arms to the Palestinians?

§ Lord Chesham
My Lords, it is the Government's policy to support the sale of British defence equipment overseas where this is compatible with our political, strategic and security interests. Exporters need a licence from the Government for the sale of defence equipment. Applications are considered on a case by case basis which take into account, inter alia, the human rights record of the purchasing country.