Backing Israel: Not just the US

March 5, 2024

DHAKA – By this point, we all know the US has sent billions of dollars in military aid and thousands of lethal weapons to perpetuate Israel’s genocide and ethnic cleansing plan in Gaza. On February 23, experts from the United Nations published a statement warning nation states to refrain from transferring weapons or ammunition to Israel that would be used in Gaza in violation of international and humanitarian law. With the spotlight on the US—Israel’s biggest ally—little is said about other governments around the world who are also supporting Israel politically, militarily, and economically—weighing strategic partnerships in the geopolitical fora with more importance than their citizens’ moral compasses.

Since October 7 last year, over 30,000 civilians have been killed in Gaza at a historic pace, and over a million have been displaced, in indiscriminate attacks that may amount to a genocide, according to a preliminary ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), a US federal court, as well as dozens of UN experts and legal scholars. Following the ICJ ruling on January 26, the Italian and Spanish prime ministers said they have stopped all arms sales to Israel since the war began in Gaza, more than four months ago. Subsequently, on February 5, a Dutch high court banned The Netherlands from continuing its export of F-35 parts to Israel. Two Japanese arms companies also ended their MoUs with Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest weapons manufacturer.

Germany, on the other hand, continues to unabashedly back Israel. It also must be noted that, unlike the US government which offers a degree of transparency, the EU and the UK do not provide as much public information, according to Campaign Against Arms Trade.