PoliticsEnglish Edition

The Architects of Complicity: Assessing the Global Arms Pipeline to the Gaza Campaign

Rakibul Islam

•July 6, 2024•11 min read

Those state actors facilitating the flow of armaments to Israel operate with a profound, clinical awareness of the catastrophic humanitarian consequences inherent in unleashing indiscriminate military operations upon the densely populated, 365-square-kilometer enclave of Gaza.

For over nine months, Israel has conducted an indiscriminate bombing campaign in Gaza under the pretext of eliminating Hamas. The vast majority of the casualties resulting from Israeli aerial bombardment and ground operations are civilians. Those supplying arms to Israel are acutely aware of the consequences: when one of the world’s top eight arms exporters and a nuclear-armed power conducts unrestricted military operations in a 365-square-kilometer enclave inhabited by two million people, the result is catastrophe. Using the weapons provided by its allies, Israel has caused mass civilian fatalities and decimated residential blocks, UN schools, refugee camps, bookstores, hospitals, and major COVID-19 testing laboratories. To date, at least 35,953 people have been killed—70% of whom are women and children—a toll that constitutes clear evidence of war crimes. In response, international human rights organizations, student groups, and political parties have mounted persistent pressure on Western governments to halt arms sales to Israel. We are witnessing a wave of student activism across universities in the United States, the United Kingdom, and throughout Europe, demanding that their institutions divest from firms supplying Israel with the machinery of war. These movements emphasize that Israel has failed to take sufficient measures to protect civilian life or facilitate the delivery of adequate humanitarian aid.

Meanwhile, Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Spain, and Belgium have announced the suspension of arms supplies to Israel. In Denmark, a legal challenge is currently underway; should it succeed, the government may be compelled to suspend the export of F-35 fighter jet components to the United States. The U.S. has itself paused the delivery of certain heavy, bunker-busting bombs. However, despite public warnings from President Joe Biden, Israel has largely disregarded these entreaties, continuing its campaign to reduce Gaza to rubble.

Which countries are supplying arms to Israel?

Despite Israel being the world’s eighth-largest arms exporter, it remains heavily dependent on a handful of nations for critical military hardware. The primary suppliers are the United States, Germany, and Italy. Additionally, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Canada, Japan, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, and even India continue to provide various forms of military support. The United States is the largest contributor, accounting for approximately 68% of Israel's imported weapons. Germany follows as the second-largest, providing about 30%. While Australia is also among the countries categorized as suppliers, Foreign Minister Penny Wong has asserted that her nation has not exported any weapons to Israel since the onset of the Israel-Palestine war.

The United States

American military assistance to Israel dwarfs that of any other nation. The U.S. has been providing arms annually since 1961. Between 2009 and 2020, over 70% of Israel's arms acquisitions originated in the U.S. This includes F-35 fighter jets, the Iron Dome missile defense system, precision-guided munitions, and other advanced military technologies. In 2016, the two nations signed a ten-year Memorandum of Understanding, under which the U.S. committed $38 billion in aid through 2028. This includes approximately $3.8 billion in annual military assistance, with $5 billion specifically allocated for missile defense programs such as the Iron Dome, Arrow, and David's Sling systems. Through 2023, Israel has received a total of $158 billion in aid, adjusted for inflation. Since the Israel-Palestine war began, the U.S. has sent over a hundred individual shipments of arms to Israel as of March 7, 2024. In April 2024, Congress approved $14.3 billion in emergency security assistance. The Biden administration informed Congress in May 2024 of plans to send an additional $1 billion military aid package. Furthermore, billions of dollars' worth of weaponry, including tanks, guided missiles, and ammunition, remain in the pipeline.

Germany

Germany has provided substantial economic and military support, rooted in historical responsibility stemming from the Holocaust. This support has manifested in funding and diplomatic backing across various international forums. Between 1945 and 2018, Germany provided roughly $86.8 billion in reparations, a commitment extended through 2027. Since 2003, Germany has facilitated export licenses for nearly every category of weaponry. From 2019 to 2023, Germany accounted for 30% of Israel’s arms imports, including submarines, corvettes, and anti-aircraft missiles. In 2023, Germany authorized a tenfold increase in defense export approvals for Israel, totaling 326.5 million euros.

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However, following increased criticism of Israel's conduct in the Gaza war earlier this year, the German government has significantly curtailed the export of munitions. According to the DPA news agency, this reduction included the suspension of 306.4 million euros in military equipment and 20.1 million euros in "war weapons," including 3,000 portable anti-tank weapons and 500,000 rounds of ammunition for automatic or semi-automatic firearms.

Italy

Italy, the third-largest arms exporter to Israel, has continued its trade before and after the conflict erupted on October 7, 2023. While Italy provides training aircraft and receives missile systems in return, it accounted for 5.6% of Israel's conventional arms imports between 2009 and 2020. In the final quarter of 2023, Italy exported 2.1 million euros ($2.3 million) in arms and ammunition to Israel—a threefold increase compared to the same period in the previous year. Though Italian officials have provided assurances that exports are being halted, reports indicate that shipments continue. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto has claimed that Italy is not supplying arms to Israel, characterizing current shipments as the fulfillment of pre-existing contracts.

The United Kingdom

The UK government issues export licenses to private companies for the sale of military technology and equipment, including components for aircraft and electronic warfare systems. Last year, the UK granted licenses for the sale of at least £42 million in defense equipment to Israel. Since 2008, the UK has licensed over £574 million in arms exports to Israel. In 2022 alone, the UK supplied approximately £400 million in weaponry. The actual figure may be significantly higher, as many weapons are exported via "open licenses," which obscure the specific quantities and values of the equipment. Between October 7, 2023, and May 31, 2024, the UK issued over 100 arms export licenses to Israel. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faced intense criticism regarding the UK's arms trade policy, and his Conservative Party suffered a landslide defeat in the July 5 general election. Notably, allegations have surfaced suggesting that the family of Sunak—a staunch supporter of Israel—is indirectly linked to arms sales through his father-in-law's co-founded tech consultancy, Infosys, which reportedly has ties to major British defense contractors supplying Israel.

Canada

Canada supplies roughly 0.3% of Israel's arms imports, specifically focusing on components for drones, radar systems, and aircraft. While details on specific military hardware remain opaque—often transferred indirectly via the United States—Canada exported $13.7 million in military hardware in 2019 and $21.3 million (CAD) in 2022. From October to December 2023, Canada approved nearly $30 million in arms exports. However, following a resolution passed in the House of Commons on March 18, 2024, Canada moved to halt future arms exports to Israel.

France

France has a long history of defense cooperation with Israel, providing aircraft, surveillance satellites, missile components, and precision-guided munitions. France’s arms exports to Israel totaled 10 million euros in 2023, with total export licenses between 2014 and 2022 amounting to 50 million euros.

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Following the October 7 attack, France claimed to have re-evaluated its military exports; however, reports suggest that some sales have not been fully suspended, and clandestine support may still be ongoing.

Australia

Australia provides small arms, ammunition, and electronic warfare components. Over the last six years, Australia has approved 322 defense exports to Israel. In the last five years, these exports have exceeded $13 million. These approvals have raised significant questions regarding their potential use in the Gaza conflict.

Denmark

Before October 7, 2023, Denmark provided Israel with advanced electronic systems and components essential for surveillance and communication. Between 2014 and 2022, Danish export licenses were valued at over 2.4 million euros. Furthermore, in 2023, Denmark signed a 317-million-euro contract for Israel’s "David’s Sling" missile defense system.

Post-October 7, Denmark faced domestic and international scrutiny, leading to a re-evaluation of its export licenses with a stated focus on ensuring that technology transfers do not exacerbate the conflict.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands has been a notable supplier of radar systems, advanced optics, and military vehicles. From 2014 to 2022, export licenses totaled 7.6 million euros. In 2023, the Dutch government approved nine arms export licenses totaling 12.1 million euros.

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Faced with intense public backlash, the Dutch government temporarily suspended certain military exports, pivoting instead toward humanitarian aid.

Spain

Spain previously supplied small arms and light artillery to Israel as part of broader defense cooperation agreements. Between 2014 and 2022, Spanish export licenses were valued at over 2.4 million euros. Following the escalation in Gaza, Spain has reviewed its export policies under pressure from human rights organizations, shifting its focus toward humanitarian support.

Belgium

Belgium has supplied advanced electronic equipment, targeting systems, and surveillance technology. As of March 2024, the total value of Belgian arms exports to Israel stood at 14 million euros, with 780,000 euros in goods exported in 2023 alone. In response to international pressure, Belgium has implemented stricter controls, focusing primarily on medical supplies and infrastructure reconstruction aid.

China

While not a primary military supplier, China has provided drone technology and advanced electronics, with exports valued at $3.1 million between 2014 and 2022. These systems have bolstered Israel's defense capabilities, reflecting a pattern of technical cooperation.

Greece

Greece has supplied Israel with small arms and artillery, with export licenses totaling 7.6 million euros between 2014 and 2022. This cooperation has been instrumental in supporting Israel's military hardware requirements.

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Finland

Finland has engaged with Israel primarily through the export of electronic equipment and armor. In 2023, Finland signed a significant contract for the David’s Sling system, valued at 317 million euros.

Serbia

Serbia has provided small arms, ammunition, and explosive devices. Exports surged significantly in March 2024, reaching 14 million euros, up from 780,000 euros in 2023.

Malta

Malta has played a role in the supply of small arms and related equipment, with exports exceeding 17.5 million euros between 2014 and 2022, serving as a reliable component of Israel's defense infrastructure.

India

India is a key defense partner for Israel, supplying a wide array of military equipment, including missile systems, radar technology, and drones. Evidence suggests that this trade has continued unabated during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Notably, Indian-manufactured Hermes 900 drones and other explosives have been identified in Israel's arsenal. While some shipments have faced public protests and refusal by dock workers in Spain, the supply chain remains active, signaling a shift in Indian foreign policy. The potential for a broad international arms embargo could profoundly alter the landscape of the Israel-Palestine war. Last Friday, the UN Human Rights Council supported an arms embargo, with 28 countries voting in favor, 6 against, and 13 abstaining. The United States and Germany—the primary suppliers—voted against the resolution. Germany justified its opposition by claiming the resolution failed to explicitly condemn Hamas. By providing the material means for the destruction of Gaza, these nations are effectively complicit in the genocide and are shielding Israel from justice for war crimes.

Rakibul Islam

Author & Contributor, MaroonPaper

Contributing insightful research and analytical essays on law, politics, history, and international affairs for MaroonPaper.