UK equipment being used in Israeli attacks

Evidence that parts of the systems are made by British companies contradicts Israeli assurances that British arms would not be used in the territories.

Israeli Merkava tanks have been equipped with cooling systems made by the Air technology Group, the Surrey-based company confirmed yesterday.

British equipment, including missile trigger systems, are also used in American Apache helicopters supplied to Israel.

They are made by Smiths Group, whose US subsidiaries supply a number of key parts for the helicopters, which have been repeatedly used in attacks on Palestinian areas.

In April, the UK government asked Israel to explain how the chassis from British Centurion tanks, exported between 1958 and 1970, came to be used in armored personnel carriers in the Occupied Territories.

The Foreign Office said the modification contradicted a written pledge from Israel in November 2000 that "no UK-originated equipment ... are used as part of the Israeli occupation force's activities in the territories".

Jack Straw revealed then that Israel had refused to give a pledge that the armored cars would no longer be used in operations against Palestinians.