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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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23 August 2006

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: Leave denied to judicially review British government’s assistance with military shipments to Israel

1. IHRC comment on today’s judgment
2. Channel 4 News report on revelations in the case about number and nature of flights through the UK to Israel carrying arms

Watch Channel 4\’s report here. (14MB)

1. IHRC comment on today’s judgment
IHRC is deeply disappointed with the High Court’s decision to refuse leave to judicially review the British government’s facilitation of military shipments to Israel.

IHRC Chair Massoud Shadjareh stated:

“It is disheartening that this avenue has been closed down. However this hearing also showed and made clear to the public and the authorities, the duty upon the Attorney General rather than individuals to act in such cases and bring relevant action over these issues.

“It is very sad for those British citizens who lost family in the bombing of Lebanon but also for society as whole. Surveys have shown that this was a very important issue that most of the public were deeply concerned about, there was obvious disquiet in the cabinet and even Jim Sheridan MP resigned from his post as parliamentary private secretary to the defence team.”

2. Channel 4 News report on revelations in the case about number and nature of flights through the UK to Israel carrying arms

Watch the report here. (14MB)

http://www.channel4.com/news/special-reports/special-reports-storypage.jsp?id=3090

IHRC story starts at approx 7:30 mins

Israelis protest at war effort

Published: 23 Aug 2006
By: Inigo Gilmore & John Sparks

A senior Israeli tank commander tells Channel 4 News they were badly prepared as Tel Aviv calls for a UN force in Lebanon.

The peacekeepers aren\’t even deployed – but already the Middle East truce is running into trouble – tonight Syria\’s threatened to close its border with Lebanon if United Nations troops are deployed there.

And there\’s trouble at home for Israel\’s leaders – hundreds of reservists returning from the frontlines furious over the handling of the war have staged angry protests – calling on the Prime Minister to resign.

The discontent isn\’t confined to the rank and file.

In an exclusive interview with Channel 4 News – a senior tank commander says at the height of the offensive he disobeyed orders – refusing to send his men into high-risk battle because they just weren\’t ready.

At home, it was Britain\’s murky involvement in the war in Lebanon.

American flights carrying \’bunker busting\’ bombs landed at UK airports on their way to Israel.

This afternoon, a Muslim group went to the High Court to accuse the British government of violating international law through its support of the Israelis.

The Islamic Human Rights Commission lost their case.

But what was said in court gave a fascinating insight into the arms cargo of those so-called munition flights.[ENDS]

Islamic Human Rights Commission
PO Box 598
Wembley
HA9 7XH
United Kingdom

Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222
Fax (+44) 20 8904 5183
Email: info@ihrc.org
Web: www.ihrc.org