Local MP Katy Clark has questioned the Government on military links between the United Kingdom and Israel in response to the recent military escalation in the Middle East.

Over 200 Palestinians and two Israelis have died in recent military action taken by Hamas and the Israeli Defence Force.

According to Committee on Arms Export Controls’ 2013 report there are “over 381 extant Standard Individual Export License & Open Individual Export Licenses” valuing a total of £7.8 billion.

These include licenses for components for drones and military combat vehicles and technology for small arms ammunition. Ms Clark is a member of the committee.

In 2009 the Foreign Secretary confirmed that UK manufactured components were almost certainly used by the Israeli Defence force in their 2008/09 operations in Gaza.

Ms. Clark asked the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will suspend all standard individual export licence and open individual export licences to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories until at least such time as a ceasefire in the present conflict in that region has been established.

She also asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will investigate whether any UK manufactured weapons or components have been used by Israeli military forces during Operation Protective Edge.

In addition she has questioned Ministers on whether they believe Israel has complied with international legal obligations during the recent military action as well as what steps the Government will take to assist Palestinians who have been made homeless.

Ms. Clark said “Like many I have been appalled to hear the reports of civilian deaths in Israel and the occupied territories. The footage of four Palestinian children killed by an Israeli missile while playing on a beach was particularly disturbing.

“I believe the Government now needs to review its military relations with Israel as a matter of urgency. It cannot be right that British manufactured weapons and components can continue to be exported to Israel at a time where increasing numbers of civilians, including children and disabled people, are dying as a result of Israeli air and naval strikes.

“If we are going to have a lasting peace in the region we need to bring about an end to these outbreaks of violence in the region we see all-too often. The UK rightly does not sell weapons to Hamas but it now needs to take an even handed approach and end its military ties with Israel.”