Nine months into the conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in over 38,000 Palestinian deaths, more than 86,000 injuries, and the displacement of over 1.9 million people, the European Union (EU) continues to face scrutiny over its support for Israel. Despite frequent condemnations, European leaders have done little to curb the violence. Instead, many European countries continue to provide economic and military support to Israel.
While the United States is often viewed as the primary supporter of Israel’s military efforts, Europe’s role is significant and warrants closer examination. The EU’s financial and military assistance to Israel highlights its potential complicity in the ongoing violence in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Arms Supplies and Military Support
The EU is the second-largest supplier of arms to Israel, following the US. According to the European External Action Service’s COARM database, EU member states sold arms worth 1.76 billion euros ($1.9 billion) to Israel between 2018 and 2022. This support has continued despite an interim ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in January, suggesting that the Israeli military might be committing genocide.
The EU has mechanisms for implementing arms embargoes but has not applied them to Israel. Some member states, including Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Belgium’s Wallonia region, have announced suspensions of arms transfers to Israel. However, these measures have often been partial, temporary, or not followed through with concrete actions.
Germany is the largest European supplier of arms to Israel, accounting for 30 percent of Israel’s weapons between 2019 and 2023. German exports to Israel increased tenfold from 32.3 million euros ($35 million) in 2022 to 326.5 million euros ($354 million) in 2023, with many licenses granted after October 7. Other significant suppliers include Romania, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Spain.
In addition to direct supplies, EU arms often reach Israel indirectly through the US. This circumvention occurs despite end-user agreements, which the US frequently disregards, and EU countries do not enforce.
European Public Funding for Israeli Arms
European taxpayers’ money also supports the arms manufacturers that supply Israel. Research by the Transnational Institute and Stop Wapenhandel reveals that 426 million euros ($461.7 million) of public funds are currently aiding companies that arm Israel. German company Rheinmetall, Finnish-Norwegian company Nammo, Leonardo, ThyssenKrupp, Rolls Royce, BAE Systems, and Renk are among the beneficiaries.
Since 2008, 84 Israeli entities have received 69.39 million euros ($75 million) from a total of 132 EU-funded security projects. The Ministry of National Security, despite its history of human rights violations against Palestinians, has participated in the most EU-funded projects.
Additionally, European research funding has likely contributed to the development of Israel’s digital warfare tools used in Gaza. Since October 7, the EU has granted 126 million euros ($136.5 million) to 130 research projects involving Israeli entities, including arms company Israel Aerospace Industries.
The Implications of Continued Support
The flow of arms and financial support from the EU to Israel has significant implications. Known EU military exports can be directly linked to the genocide in Gaza. For instance, Israeli Merkava tanks, Sa’ar corvettes, and M109 self-propelled howitzers use European components and have been actively involved in the conflict.
Furthermore, the use of European public funds to support arms manufacturers supplying Israel raises questions about the EU’s commitment to human rights and the rule of law. The continued engagement with Israeli arms companies, even after attempts to ban them from events like the Eurosatory arms fair, undermines the EU’s credibility.
To uphold its stated values, the EU must consider imposing a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel and halt the transit of US weapons through Europe. Failure to take decisive action, especially in light of the ICJ’s ruling on the plausibility of genocide, risks implicating the EU and its member states in the ongoing atrocities in Gaza.
