A.I.E URGED ARMS EMBARGO AGAINST ISRAEL

Amnesty International Executives held a pre-embargo media briefing.

"States should suspend all transfers of military equipment, until there is no longer a substantial risk of human rights violations"

Malcolm Smart, Middle East director for Amnesty International.

Amnesty International has released a report calling for a global arms embargo against Israel because of its conduct during the recent conflict in the Gaza Strip.

The rights group also said US weapons had been misused by Israel during its 22-day assault on the Palestinian territory.
In a report released today, Amnesty International listed the weapons used and called for an immediate arms embargo on Israel and all Palestinian armed groups.
It called on the US president, Barack Obama, to suspend military aid to Israel.
The group also appealed to the UN Security Council to impose an arms embargo on both Israel and armed Palestinian groups such as Hamas.
"In addition, all states should suspend all transfers of military equipment, assistance and munitions to Israel, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups until there is no longer a substantial risk of human rights violations," Malcolm Smart, AI's Middle East director, said.
Donatella Rovera, who led the AI's investigation in Gaza, said: "Israeli forces used white phosphorus and other weapons supplied by the USA to carry out serious violations of international humanitarian law, including war crimes.
"Their attacks resulted in the death of hundreds of children and other civilians, and massive destruction of homes and infrastructure.
AI called on Washington to investigate Israel's use of US weapons in Gaza.
Colby Goodman, a policy director for military security at AI, said the US has done so at least six times previously.
"According to the Arms Export Control act, when there's a potential violation by another country of that act, using US weapons, the state department is required to investigate those allegations," he said.
Washington gives $3bn a year in military aid to Israel.
Courtesy: Al Jazeera and Press TV