Post a response to this discussion thread
Israeli use of US weapons under review
ASSOCIATED PRESS
27/July/2002
Israeli use of American-made weapons in attacks that killed Palestinian civilians is under review by the Bush administration, Secretary of State Colin Powell said.
He gave no indication that Israel's use of a US-made F-16 jet fighter to execute Salah Shehada, the military leader of Hamas, in an attack on a civilian neighbourhood in Gaza City early on Tuesday violated US law, which specifies the weapons may be used only in self-defence.
Mr Powell said the administration was concerned about the loss of human life and about targeting an individual in a densely populated area.
"We are constantly reviewing the manner in which equipment provided to the government of Israel is used," Mr Powell said.
Israel was also looking into the strike, including how it was planned and how it was directed, he said.
"We are not seeing this as a legal issue," said State Department spokesman Richard Boucher. "We're not trying to find legalistic technicalities to hang Israel on, or its lawyers on.
"Targeted attacks do not contribute to Israel's security," he said. "We're looking for ways of contributing to Israel's security and help Israel achieve what it wants, and help the Palestinians achieve their legitimate aspirations."
Israeli officials said Shehada had been planning another attack.
Post a response to this discussion thread