Israeli Arms Fueling Wars and Conflicts Globally

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As the year ends, it has become apparent that Israeli arms manufacturers have completed record deals, making them responsible for 2% of the world's total arms deals. Israeli companies, Elbit, Rafael, and Aerospace Industries, continue to be among the world's 100 largest exporters, with a 3% increase in sales totalling $592 billion. According to a report, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) predicted record Israeli arms sales this year. Israeli weapons sales fuel global warfare. Because its armaments are used in human rights violations and war crimes, the occupation has profited at the expense of civilian lives. In addition, "Israel" is using arms deals to build armies worldwide in the name of mutual interests. 

In some countries, especially in Africa, military cooperation allows for weaponry, skills, and training to repress political adversaries and wage wars with bordering states. Israeli arms transfers are increasingly driven by strategic military and political interests in Africa. As the Academic paper indicates, the presence of Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), the largest Israeli manufacturer of small arms, in Africa is likely indicative of the continent's significance for Israeli exports of Small arms and light weapons (SALW). Israelis and Israeli companies have been helping to train African militaries since the 1950s.

Occupying states make money off civilian deaths by supplying weapons used in human rights abuses and war crimes. In addition, arms deals are a means by which "Israel" promotes what it calls "mutual interests" by bolstering the military forces of its allies. It is possible to suppress political opponents and wage war with neighbouring governments in some countries thanks to military collaboration, notably in Africa.

Only a small number of people within the Israeli military establishment know the specifics of these deals due to the sensitivity of the subject matter and the buyers' likely desire to stay quiet about them for domestic reasons. Nonetheless, dozens, if not hundreds, of people on both sides of the border are involved in the agreements. They are supervised by military officials who have substantial relationships and collaboration with other states, some of whom don't even have diplomatic relations with the occupying state. Moreover, such agreements involve patient negotiation over several months.

While the Arab Gulf States have been known to make covert purchases of weapons and security equipment for years before the formal normalization agreements were made, recent years have witnessed a noticeable increase in the delivery of weapons to the region. They paid Israel approximately $800 million for these in the early 2020s; the price tag includes electronic defense and assault software. According to a report by al-Zaytouna Centre, "Israel" exports 26% of its armaments to Europe, 46% to Asia and the Pacific, 20% to North America, and 6% to Latin America and Africa. As a result of the situation in Ukraine, more Israeli weapons will be heading to Europe, which currently provides 54% of Europe's total weaponry and security systems. In addition, the Israeli government has taken note of Germany's plan to increase its annual defense budget by $100 billion. Germany, which already ships submarines to "Israel", plans to ship anti-tank missiles and body armor there.

According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in a report, India is the world's second-largest arms importer, spending over $1bn annually. "Israel's" greatest customer, India, is thought to have purchased arms from "Israel" for $15 billion. India imports the most military hardware from "Israel", according to weapons monitors. Since 2017, India has been an Israeli weapons partner and co-producer. Both countries have held military drills, police and army training, and trade visits for five years.

Importantly, more than half of the 41 deals ever approved for defense exports were approved in 2021 and 2022, revealing a substantial increase over the preceding two years. The Defense Export Controls Agency of the Defense Ministry oversees arms exports, with the vast majority never requiring cabinet approval (Oded Yaron,2022). In addition, these agreements often contain offset agreements, as the 2012 Israeli-Italian contract worth 1 billion shekels ($294.7 million).

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) supplied Italy with a satellite, two airborne early warning planes, and a control system. Moreover, Israel received 30 M-346 training aircraft from Italy. Israeli governments have never denied a Defense Ministry request to approve a large deal, which raises concerns and emphasizes the necessity for public monitoring of defense exports and their destinations. Furthermore, "Israel" is believed to have created a nuclear triad for delivering its nuclear bombs, despite its ambiguous nuclear posture and policy. Additionally, the Arms control Association’s report indicated, Israel's offensive biological and chemical weapons programs have been reported.

Notably, concerns about human rights have no bearing on granting licenses to export weapons from "Israel". The Israeli government allows private companies to export weapons and offensive technology to nations like Myanmar and South Sudan, where human rights violations and crimes against humanity are frequent. 

Likewise, since "Israel's" military industries operate without supervision or transparency, it is no longer a secret that "Israel" continues to conclude security, military, and arms deals, with the support of the US and the EU, and establishes near-normal relations with repressive and far-right regimes across Eastern Europe, Africa, and Brazil. Because of this, already vulnerable communities suffer and tensions along ethnic, social, economic, and other lines within Israeli society only deepen. The spread of military conflicts worldwide is good for the weaponry industry. If the military and economy dominate domestic politics, it is in "Israel's" financial interest to maintain the Palestinians under military occupation and to foster violent conflict around the world.

Significantly, although investments in the military have remained strong, those in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and development have lagged far behind. The rise in militarism in response to a more volatile world has only exacerbated existing tensions and conflicts. War and the threat of terrorism have contributed to and are themselves a result of the rise of militarism. Fear, violence, and instability are all fueled by the reality or the possibility of war.

Moreover, economic instability, poor mental health, and inability to maintain sustainable livelihoods are all consequences of this phenomenon, which impedes growth by interrupting social programs, education, transportation, business, and tourism. In addition to hindering efforts to reduce poverty, the production and use of weapons prevent sustainable development and conservation of ecosystems.

Hence, an important point to remember is that spending more and more money on the military does not make the world safer. Natural disasters, escalating food prices, inadequate health care, education, and a clean environment are among the world's most pressing problems, and weapons are useless in the face of these challenges. However, due to these dangers, arms development and rivalry are expanding, signaling a shift in global priorities that do not encourage or recognize the importance of peace and stability.