Press RELEASE : AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PRESS RELEASE


AI Index: MDE 01/002/2006 (Public)
News Service No: 197
27 July 2006

Lebanon/Israel: Urgent need for arms embargo on Israel and Hizbullah


As civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict in Israel and
Lebanon, Amnesty International called for an immediate arms embargo on
both Israel and Hizbullah.

Amnesty International is gravely concerned about the continuing transfer
of weapons from the US, via the UK, as information emerged that a UK
airport is being used by USA cargo planes on their way to deliver
munitions to Israel.

"The pattern of attacks and the extent of civilian casualties show a
blatant disregard of international humanitarian law by Israel and
Hizbullah," said Irene Khan, Amnesty International Secretary General.

"Direct targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure and launching
indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks amount to war crimes."

"Governments supplying Israel and Hizbullah with arms and military
equipment are fuelling their capacity to commit war crimes. All
governments should impose an arms embargo on both sides and refuse
permission for their territories to be used for the transfer of arms and
military equipment."

UK media have reported that two chartered Airbus A310 cargo planes filled
with GBU 28 laser-guided bombs containing depleted uranium (DU) warheads
and destined for the Israeli airforce landed at Prestwick airport, near
Glasgow. The planes landed for refuelling and crew rests after flying from
the US this past weekend.

Other reports claimed that the USA has requested that two more planes be
permitted to land in the UK en route to Israel in the next two weeks. The
reports said the aircraft will be carrying other weapons, including bombs
and missiles.

"The UK government should refuse permission for its sea and air ports to
be used by planes or ships carrying arms and military equipment destined
for Israel or Hizbullah," said Ms Khan as Amnesty International wrote to
the UK's Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett. The organization also called
on the UK to suspend the sale or transfer of all arms and military
equipment to Israel.

"It is ridiculous to talk about providing humanitarian aid on the one
hand, and to provide arms on the other. In the face of such human
suffering in Lebanon and Israel, it is imperative that all governments
stop the supply of arms and weapons to both sides immediately," stated Ms
Khan.