9621 Agnes Crossing, Lake Suzanneview, New Mexico Island 84604-9295.
(RFI).- Before Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Spain and Belgium also announced stopping arms exports to Israell after the start of the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip. “However,
(RFI).- Before Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Spain and Belgium also announced stopping arms exports to Israell after the start of the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip. “However, these statements should be treated with caution,” advises Zain Hussain of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). There are doubts in every country as to whether these declarations will be fully respected or not. In any case, these are symbolic positions.
Following the ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in January last year, respect for international law is also under threat. The International Court of Justice has ruled that there is a risk of “genocide” in Gaza. The 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide provides that signatory states have a legal obligation to prevent genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The International Arms Trade Treaty prohibits the country from exporting weapons to any state it suspects of using them to commit genocide. However, several signatories to the agreement continue to trade arms, including France. “Paris does not sell major weapons, so its sales do not appear in our data.”, explains Zain Hussein. “But French technology is widely used in Israeli weapons, including missile sensors, and they also supply military equipment.” Answering a question on the issue in the Senate, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal noted on Tuesday that France was one of the first Western countries to call for a lasting ceasefire and continues to do so. However, he did not answer the question directly.
Photo: Reuters
In Europe, the main suppliers of weapons to Israel are Great Britain and Germany. Here too, discretion is the order of the day. London mainly supplies weapons components. According to the Campaign Against the Arms Trade (CAAT), 15% of the components of the F-35 aircraft used in the Gaza Strip come from London. These arms contracts are the subject of intense debate at the national level, but have not been suspended at this time.
“Germany has increased the supply of armored vehicles”says Zain Hussein. “The country also has long-term contracts for submarines. They also supply frigates. “Germany appears to have signed new licenses since the outbreak of the Gaza war, but like the UK, Germany has not been transparent on this issue.”
In any case, the key to Israel’s weapons lies not in Europe, but in the Americas. According to SIPRI, the US has accounted for 69% of arms sales to Israel over the past five years. “At the moment we are not seeing significant growth, but we can be sure that these exports will not stop,” analyzes Zein Hussein.
In recent weeks, negotiations between both countries have focused on a new contract for the sale of combat aircraft – twenty-five F-35s and twenty-five F-15s – and a squadron of twelve Apache helicopters. “Aircraft critical to Gaza offensivesince most Israeli operations are carried out from the air,” says Zein Hussein.
In addition to the already existing contracts between both countries, about a hundred arms sales transactions have been hidden since October 7. Each of them did not exceed the amount necessary for its consideration and approval by Congress. Thousands of guided munitions, bombs and small arms were sold without public discussion before they were finally reported by the Washington Post. Brian Finucane of the International Crisis Group (ICG) notes that “US authorities follow different practices depending on the country to which they sell their weapons. In the case of Ukraine, for example, there were fact sheets detailing each weapon delivered and its quantity. In the case of Israel, there was no such transparency.”
The United States also maintains its own arsenal of weapons on Israeli soil. It appears that some of this arsenal was used in the Gaza war, but none of the experts interviewed could confirm this. In addition to arms contracts, the United States contributes $3 billion a year to Israel. According to Brian Finucane, US military support “is simply vital not only for the current military campaign in Gaza, but also for Israel’s efforts to prevent a possible escalation with Hezbollah in the north.” However, this support may be questioned.
Photo: Reuters
The United States is not a party to the Arms Trade Treaty, but France, Germany and the United Kingdom are. But US law prohibits military assistance to countries that restrict American humanitarian assistance. “Given the catastrophic situation in Gaza and Israel’s role in preventing the entry and distribution of aid into Gaza, the question is whether this provision will apply,” says Brian Finucane. “At this point, the White House is refusing to do this, but several members of Congress are trying to push this text.”
Joe Biden is currently in a dual race against time: a US presidential election in which he can afford no mistakes, and a humanitarian disaster unfolding in the Gaza Strip, where Hamas says 31,988 people have died since the offensive began.
Source: Aristegui Noticias
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