John
01-14-2011, 08:12 AM
Israel's military has been training British troops to fly drones similar to those used in alleged war crimes against Palestinians, Sky News has learned.
Britain is buying 30 Watchtower WK450 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) which are based on the Israeli Elbit Hermes 450 system, in a deal worth close to a £1bn.
But some accuse the Government of purchasing technology that was "field-tested on Palestinians" during the three-week Gaza conflict in 2008-9.
And the revelation that Royal Artillery soldiers undertake drone training in Israel has reignited the debate over Watchkeeper's purchase - particularly given that their Israeli trainers may have been involved in the Gaza conflict.
Amnesty International UK Campaigns Director Tim Hancock said: "Amnesty International has documented the role of drones in serious human rights violations by the Israel Defence Forces in Gaza."
"There is already growing international concern over the use of drones in remote unlawful killings, sometimes amounting to extrajudicial executions," Mr Hancock said.
"It would seem wholly inappropriate for UK forces to be trained in the use of drones by a country with a track record of applying this technology in grave abuses of people's human rights."
During Operation Cast Lead, the Israeli offensive on Gaza following Palestinian rocket attacks against Israel in 2008, UAVs were used for targeting - leading to Israel being accused of breaking international law.
Amnesty International estimated that hundreds of civilians were killed, including up to three hundred children - the targets often identified by UAVs.
A UN report into the Gaza conflict accused both Israel and Palestinian militants of serious war crimes, but little progress in pursuing those accusations has prompted an Amnesty "Global Day of Action" on January 18, the second anniversary of the conflict's end.
At the time, Liberal Democrat leader, now Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg called for an arms embargo on Israel.
In response to the revelations a Government spokesperson insisted troops only trained in Israel and said: "The UK has no involvement in the tasking and operational use of unmanned aerial vehicles in Israel.
"UK military personnel conduct training around the world to prepare for operations. Small numbers of British Forces travel to Israel for contractor-provided pre-deployment training on the unarmed Hermes 450 UAV and its Watchkeeper replacement.
"Our absolute priority is ensuring British troops on the frontline are equipped with and trained on the very best capabilities.
"UAV systems provide vital intelligence and surveillance, enhancing situational awareness on the battlefield and helping to save the lives of UK Forces."
Two years ago it was reported that a series of Watchkeeper trials were cancelled because the British Government objected to them being conducted in the occupied territories - revealing that the UK was sensitive to the issue.
There is no suggestion that British training involved flights over Palestinian territory.
The UAV system is to provide Britain all weather, day and night, real time battlefield surveillance and target acquisition, similar to systems already used in Afghanistan.
Originally expected to be ready in 2010, Watchkeeper is currently being manufactured in the UK and is undergoing flight trials in Wales.
A Ministry of Defence fact sheet sent to Sky News stated: "Watchkeeper training, including live flying, will take place in the UK."
Source - Yahoo.
Britain is buying 30 Watchtower WK450 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) which are based on the Israeli Elbit Hermes 450 system, in a deal worth close to a £1bn.
But some accuse the Government of purchasing technology that was "field-tested on Palestinians" during the three-week Gaza conflict in 2008-9.
And the revelation that Royal Artillery soldiers undertake drone training in Israel has reignited the debate over Watchkeeper's purchase - particularly given that their Israeli trainers may have been involved in the Gaza conflict.
Amnesty International UK Campaigns Director Tim Hancock said: "Amnesty International has documented the role of drones in serious human rights violations by the Israel Defence Forces in Gaza."
"There is already growing international concern over the use of drones in remote unlawful killings, sometimes amounting to extrajudicial executions," Mr Hancock said.
"It would seem wholly inappropriate for UK forces to be trained in the use of drones by a country with a track record of applying this technology in grave abuses of people's human rights."
During Operation Cast Lead, the Israeli offensive on Gaza following Palestinian rocket attacks against Israel in 2008, UAVs were used for targeting - leading to Israel being accused of breaking international law.
Amnesty International estimated that hundreds of civilians were killed, including up to three hundred children - the targets often identified by UAVs.
A UN report into the Gaza conflict accused both Israel and Palestinian militants of serious war crimes, but little progress in pursuing those accusations has prompted an Amnesty "Global Day of Action" on January 18, the second anniversary of the conflict's end.
At the time, Liberal Democrat leader, now Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg called for an arms embargo on Israel.
In response to the revelations a Government spokesperson insisted troops only trained in Israel and said: "The UK has no involvement in the tasking and operational use of unmanned aerial vehicles in Israel.
"UK military personnel conduct training around the world to prepare for operations. Small numbers of British Forces travel to Israel for contractor-provided pre-deployment training on the unarmed Hermes 450 UAV and its Watchkeeper replacement.
"Our absolute priority is ensuring British troops on the frontline are equipped with and trained on the very best capabilities.
"UAV systems provide vital intelligence and surveillance, enhancing situational awareness on the battlefield and helping to save the lives of UK Forces."
Two years ago it was reported that a series of Watchkeeper trials were cancelled because the British Government objected to them being conducted in the occupied territories - revealing that the UK was sensitive to the issue.
There is no suggestion that British training involved flights over Palestinian territory.
The UAV system is to provide Britain all weather, day and night, real time battlefield surveillance and target acquisition, similar to systems already used in Afghanistan.
Originally expected to be ready in 2010, Watchkeeper is currently being manufactured in the UK and is undergoing flight trials in Wales.
A Ministry of Defence fact sheet sent to Sky News stated: "Watchkeeper training, including live flying, will take place in the UK."
Source - Yahoo.