Analysis
War in Gaza: which countries continue to sell weapons to Israel?
On Tuesday March 19, Canada announced the cessation of arms exports to Israel, joining the ranks of those who said “no”. Others, including France, however, continue to honor their contracts, or even sign new ones.
Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip, December 21, 2023. via REUTERS - ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES
By: Oriane Verdier Follow
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Before
Canada
, the Netherlands, Japan, Spain and Belgium had also announced the cessation of arms exports to Israel after the launch of the Israeli offensive on Gaza. “
However, we must take these announcements with caution
,” advises Zain Hussain of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
In every country there are questions about whether or not these declarations are fully respected.
» Whatever happens, these are symbolic positions.
Since the order of the
International Court of Justice
(ICJ) last January, respect for international law is also at stake. Indeed, the ICJ considered that there was a risk of “
genocide
” in Gaza. The 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide states that signatory states are legally obligated to prevent genocide,
war crimes
and crimes against humanity.
Read alsoGaza: facing South Africa, Israel counterattacks before the ICJ
Germany and the United Kingdom, main European suppliers
The International Arms Trade Treaty prohibits a country from exporting weapons to any state it suspects could use them for genocide. However, several signatory states continue their trade,
France
in particular. “
Paris does not sell major weapons, so their sales do not appear in our data
,” explains Zain Hussain.
But French technology is widely used in Israeli weapons, including missile sensors, and they also deliver military equipment.
» Asked about the issue before the Senate, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal recalled Tuesday that France was one of the first Western countries to have called for a lasting ceasefire and that it continued to do so. However, he did not answer the question directly.
In Europe, the main arms suppliers to Israel are the United Kingdom and Germany. Here too, discretion is required. London mainly supplied weapons components. According to the Campaign Against the Arms Trade (CCAT), 15% of the components of the F-35 planes used in Gaza come from London. These arms contracts are the subject of intense controversy at the national level, but they have not yet been suspended.
“
Germany has increased the transfer of armored vehicles
,” notes Zain Hussain.
The country also has long-term contracts for submarines. They also deliver frigates. It appears that new licenses were signed by Germany after the start of the war in Gaza, but just like the UK, Germany is not transparent on this issue.
»
The United States, a vital partner
The main issue over Israel's armament is not in Europe anyway, but on the American continent. The United States represents 69% of arms sales to Israel over the past five years according to SIPRI. “
For the moment, we have not recorded a significant increase, but it is certain that these exports are not ready to stop
,” analyzes Zain Hussain.
In recent weeks, negotiations between the two countries have focused on a new sales contract including fighter planes – twenty-five F-35s and twenty-five F-15s – and a squadron of twelve Apache helicopters. “
Airplanes are essential in the offensive on Gaza since the majority of operations carried out by Israel are aerial
,” recalls Zain Hussain.
Beyond the contracts already in progress between the two countries, around a hundred arms sales have gone under the radar since October 7. Each of them did not exceed the amount necessary to justify being examined and validated by Congress. Thousands of guided munitions, bombs and small arms were sold without public discussion before finally being revealed by the
Washington Post
. “
The American authorities follow different practices, depending on the country to which they sell their weapons
,” points out Brian Finucane of the International Crisis Group Institute (ICG).
In the case of Ukraine for example, there were information sheets detailing each weapon supplied and the number. There was no such transparency in the Israeli case.
»
The United States also has its own weapons stockpile on Israeli soil. It appears that some of this stockpile was used in the Gaza war, but none of the experts interviewed could confirm this. In addition to arms deals, the United States contributes $3 billion a year to Israel. For Brian Finucane, American military support is “
simply vital, not only for the ongoing military campaign in Gaza, but also for Israeli efforts to anticipate a potential escalation with Hezbollah in the north
.” Yet this support could be called into question.
Banning military assistance to countries that limit American humanitarian aid
The United States is not a signatory to the Arms Trade Treaty, unlike France, Germany and the United Kingdom. But American laws notably prohibit military assistance to countries which limit humanitarian aid from the United States. “
Given the dire situation in Gaza and Israel's role in obstructing the entry and distribution of aid to Gaza, the question is whether this provision will be applied
,” points out Brian Finucane.
The White House refuses to do so for the moment, but a number of members of Congress are trying to push this text.
»
Joe Biden is currently in a double race against time: that of the American presidential election for which he cannot afford any mistakes, and that already well advanced, of the humanitarian catastrophe underway in Gaza where 31,988 people have been killed according to Hamas since the start of the Israeli offensive.
Read alsoGaza: American draft resolution at the UN, Antony Blinken in Egypt
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