UK warned Israel over out of control troops in 2002: Archives

LONDON , July 23: Britain accused Israel of allowing its troops to run "out of control" during a huge military operation in the occupied West Bank two decades ago, UK government archives showed Tuesday. The newly-released files highlight Western concern over the Palestinian death toll during Operation Defensive Shield launched by then-Israeli prime Ariel Sharon in March 2002.

The comments are similar to concerns expressed by some Western allies over Israels current military operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. 

Britains ambassador to Israel at the time warned Sharons foreign policy adviser that the incursion by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was a "major strategic mistake" which was undermining support for Israel among its allies.     —AFP