'French arms sales to Israel, violates EU rules'
Mon, 01 Jun 2009 03:29:19 GMT
A new study has revealed that France is turning a blind eye to the European Union regulations by exporting arms to Israel.
The EU arms exports regulations obliges all its member states to avoid arms sales that could violate the human rights or exacerbate regional tensions.
Patrice Bouveret from the French Centre for Research on Peace and Conflicts in Lyon who has conducted the study says France is ignoring the EU code of conduct on weapons exports.
The study shows that France has turned into the largest European arms exporter to Israel.
Between 2003 and 2007, France issued licenses worth 623 million dollars (446 million euros) for arms exports to Israel, Inter Press Service (IPS) reported.
According to an investigation conducted by Amnesty International in February, electrical components with "Made in France" written on them were found in the wreckage of buildings destroyed by the Israeli army during the offensive it launched on Gaza late last year.
Bouveret also noted that Israel is trying to boost its military ties with Europe in a move to reduce its traditional reliance on the US.
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