British Labor Party considers arms embargo on Israel

LONDON — British parliamentarians are circulating a petition for a weapons embargo on Israel in the wake of the election of Likud chairman Ariel Sharon as prime minister.

So far, 14 parliamentarians of the ruling Labor Party have signed a petition that demands an immediate arms embargo on Israel. The parliamentarians also want the government of Prime Minister Tony Blair to recall the British ambassador in Tel Aviv.

The petition calls on London to "immediately to freeze all sales of military equipment to Israel." British officials said the government has approved more than 150 applications for weapons exports to Israel. The exports were not disclosed.

The parliamentarians said they were concerned by Sharon. The petition warns that his election might trigger a war in the Middle East.

So far, the Blair government has rejected the prospect of sanctions on Israel. Officials said such a move would be counterproductive.

In Washington, a leading Arab organization called on U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell to suspend the sale to Israel of U.S. attack helicopters. James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, submitted the request in a letter delivered during a meeting last week with Assistant Secretary of State Edward Walker.

Israel has ordered AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters from the United States. The older AH-64A model and the Cobra were used in Israeli attacks on Palestinian Authority installations.

Zogby said Israel violated the Arms Export Control Act, which places limits on the use of weapons the United States sells to foreign governments. State Department officials said such a determination has not been made.

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