Britain has almost doubled the value of arms exports to Israel, according to official figures released yesterday.

Arms exports to Israel approved by the government totalled £22.5m last year, almost twice the amount in 2004, according the latest annual report on strategic export controls published by four government departments.

The report was released as the Liberal Democrat Leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, yesterday urged Tony Blair to suspend any further arms exports to Israel. "In light of disproportionate military action by Israel in Lebanon and Gaza the UK government must suspend any further arms exports to Israel," Sir Menzies wrote to the prime minister.

He said the government was right to ensure there were no arms transfers, either direct or indirect, from Britain to Syria, Iran "or illegal armed groups such as the military wing of Hizbullah". He added: "The government must now comply with its own arms export rules and institute an immediate suspension of all UK arms exports to Israel."

Licences approved for Israel last year included components for combat helicopters, aircraft radars, air-to-surface missiles and airborne electronic warfare equipment. Special licences were also approved for the sale to Israel of components for military training aircraft, naval radars, naval communications equipment, and optical sensors for unmanned air vehicles.

These do not include components made by British companies in US Apache helicopters and F-16 bombers sold to Israel. The government provoked a storm of protest in 2002 by introducing new guidelines on the sale of military components. It cleared the way for head-up display units (HUDs, for presenting data without blocking view) - made by BAE Systems, Britain's largest arms company - to be sold to the US for use in F-16 planes. Ministers said the move was dictated by the interests of British arms companies. British equipment used in American Apache helicopters supplied to Israel includes missile trigger systems.

Saferworld, an independent London-based thinktank campaigning against the arms trade said yesterday that the Foreign Office's human rights report states: "The UK opposes the Israeli policy of targeted killings, which are illegal under international law".

Paul Eavis, director of Saferworld, said yesterday: "The government must assert a coherent policy towards countries that display a disregard for human rights".

Lebanon's president accused Israel on Monday of using phosphorous bombs in its attacks, Reuters news agency reported from Paris. "According to the Geneva Convention, when they use phosphorous bombs and laser bombs, is that allowed against civilians and children?" President Emile Lahoud asked on France's RFI radio.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said: "Everything the Israeli defence forces are using is legitimate".