http://www.guardian.co.uk/syria/story/0,,1832922,00.html<snip>
British arms companies are supplying key parts for Israel's Apache combat helicopters, F-15 and F-16 fighter jets deployed in southern Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank despite government guidelines banning the sale of weapons likely to be used "aggressively against another country" or fuel regional tensions.
The disclosure follows anger among MPs this week after it emerged that the government allowed US planes carrying bombs and missiles to Israel to refuel at Prestwick airport.
British arms controls also forbid exports "to countries where serious violations of human rights have been established" or "if there is a clear risk that the proposed export might be used for internal repression". A Commons committee on arms export controls is expected to issue a strong statement on exports to Israel late next week despite pressure from some members to tone it down.
"The government's policy on exports to Israel is incoherent," Roger Berry, the chairman of the committee, told the Guardian. "They are adamant that they would not licence exports - weapons, equipment or components - if they could end up being deployed aggressively in the Occupied Territories. But ... there are clearly lots of British components in arms being used by the Israeli government in the Occupied Territories."