AhlulBayt News Agency: European countries have doubled their weapons imports from Israel, despite growing calls for a boycott over Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.
Israel’s arms exports surged to a record $14.8 billion in 2024, according to figures released on Thursday by the Ministry of Military Affairs, with European nations accounting for the largest share of the increase.
As per the report, European countries made up 54% of Israel’s total weapons exports in 2024, a sharp rise from 35% the previous year.
Arms sales to Europe nearly doubled, reaching $8 billion, as nations ramped up military spending due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Israeli Minister of Military Affairs Israel Katz hailed the fourth consecutive year of growth, calling it “a direct result” of Israeli military successes. He claimed, “The world sees Israeli strength and seeks to be a partner to it.”
Some Arab states, which have signed normalization agreements with Israel, have also increased their weapons purchases.
Israeli arms exports to UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco grew from 3% to 12% in 2024.
Despite the surge in Israeli arms sales, public pressure in Europe to boycott Israel and demand stronger action against its war in Gaza has been growing.
Under domestic scrutiny, France announced it is considering concrete steps to hold Israel accountable for blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza. On Thursday, President Emmanuel Macron stated a decision would be made “in the next couple of days.”
Meanwhile, Spain canceled a $325 million contract with an Israeli defense company, citing concerns over Israeli actions in Gaza.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva renewed calls for Palestinian statehood recognition.
Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza on October 7, 2023, killing at least 54,677 Palestinians so far.
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