cross-posted from: https://news.abolish.capital/post/54312
51 nations armed Israel during the settler-colonial state’s genocide against Palestinians. Some states gave the regime hundreds of millions of dollars in arms. Others just a few hundred dollars worth of equipment. All bear the mark of shame.
Al Jazeera reported on 24 May:
military-related goods originating from at least 51 countries and self-governing territories continued entering Israel after the ICJ’s warning of a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza.
The outlet used Israel tax authority data, customs records and freedom of information requests from “between 2022 and 2025” to trace:
military supply chains linked to countries across Europe, Asia, North America and South America.
Al Jazeera said:
All named countries are signatories to the Genocide Convention.
In some cases, the military-related goods originated from countries that had formally imposed arms embargoes on Israel or had partially suspended arms supplies to the country.
A large part of the equipment was lethal:
In fact, according to the ITA data, arms imports increased after the ICJ ruling, with the largest share falling under the category of munitions.
The five biggest countries of origin all increased arms shipments during the period:
The United States, India, Romania, Taiwan and the Czech Republic – all recorded increased shipments during the war.
Legal experts and NGOs condemned the nations involved for contributing to the generational horrors of Gaza.
Israel — Ample evidence of war crimes
Stephen Humphreys is a professor of international law at the London School of Economics (LSE). He told Al Jazeera that even prior to the ICC ruling that a plausible genocide was underway there was:
ample evidence that countries arming Israel may be complicit in international crimes, including war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Gerhard Kemp is a professor of criminal law at the University of the West of England (UWE). He told Al Jazeera:
Some states have a very narrow understanding of the duty to prevent genocide and are waiting for a judicial determination that there is a genocide in Gaza.
But warned that the obligation was triggered by the risk of genocide – not the final findings of an international court:
The better view is to look at domestic legal obligations … and international legal obligations and legal tools triggered by available evidence.
Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) director Iain Overton, executive director of AOAV, said:
This investigation reinforces growing concerns about the continued transfer of explosive weapons and military components into a conflict where civilians have borne the overwhelming burden of harm.
He said AOAV’s research:
has consistently shown that the use of explosive weapons in populated areas causes catastrophic civilian suffering, destroys vital infrastructure and leaves lasting humanitarian consequences long after the fighting ends.
The scale of imports identified by Al Jazeera raises urgent questions about international obligations, transparency and accountability in global arms transfers.
The US sent more than £368mn of arms to Israel in the period concerned, the Al Jazeera report claims. While Japan’s contribution was just $161. ‘Anti-imperialist’ China provided $19mn worth of arms to the genocide state. The UK sent over $1.8mn. All of these countries bear a mark of shame which will never be erased. And all should be held accountable.
Featured image via Maja Hitij/Getty Images
By Joe Glenton
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