Clegg calls for Israel arms exports ban as Warsi resigns
DEPUTY Prime Minister Nick Clegg has called on the government to ban all arms exports to Israel amid concern that a 72-hour ceasefire agreed by Hamas and the Israeli government yesterday could break down at any time.
Clegg was joined in his call to stop all UK exports of military equipment and arms to Israel – worth about £8bn – by business secretary Vince Cable, who said: “We have been making this case inside government but have not yet been able to get agreement for this position. I hope and expect that to change shortly.”
A Number 10 spokesperson said no decision had been made and ministers are carefully reviewing all licenses for exports to Israel.
The call comes as foreign office minister Baroness Warsi resigned, saying she could no longer support government policy on Gaza.
Chancellor George Osborne called the resignation “unnecessary”, while the Prime Minister said he was disappointed not to have been able speak about to Warsi about her decision before she tweeted it.