Who Are the Main Suppliers of Weapons to the Israeli Occupation?

After the events of October 7, 2023, “Israel” engaged in a war on two fronts—inside the Gaza Strip and along the southern borders, and with Hezbollah on the northern front along the Lebanese border.

The French website Ouest-France published a report, translated by Arabi21, highlighting the major countries that supply weapons to “Israel.”

The report mentions that French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, during his recent visit to “Israel,” echoed a sentiment expressed by Emmanuel Macron. In a press conference held in Jerusalem, he said, “We must be consistent; we cannot call for a ceasefire while simultaneously arming the warring parties.”

It is worth noting that the occupying state heavily relies on imported weapons and military equipment, especially its air capabilities, which are primarily procured from the United States, Germany, and Italy.

The United States

The United States is the primary supplier of weapons to “Israel.” According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), between 2014 and 2022, the U.S. provided 69% of “Israel’s” arms imports.

SIPRI reports that these imports include aircraft, guided bombs, and missiles. As of the end of 2023, “Israel” was awaiting the delivery of 61 American fighter jets.

Last year, the United States delivered 2,000 anti-tank missiles and 25 F-35 fighter jets. Beyond arms sales, “Israel” is the largest recipient of U.S. foreign aid since World War II.

Washington extends annual military aid to “Israel,” amounting to approximately $3.8 billion, in addition to half a billion dollars allocated for joint air defense cooperation.

In the aid package approved on April 20, the U.S. Congress provided $13 billion in military assistance, alongside aid to Ukraine and over $9 billion in humanitarian aid for Gaza.

Germany

The report notes that, according to SIPRI, Germany accounts for 30% of “Israel’s” total arms imports. Last year, Germany exported arms worth around €327 million to “Israel,” making it the seventh-largest buyer of German weapons.

SIPRI further states that “Israel” expected the delivery of four German submarines by the end of last year, while four German frigates were delivered within the same period.

Italy

According to the BBC, Italy supplied 0.9% of Israeli imports between 2019 and 2023, compared to the period between 2009 and 2018, when imports reached 5.9% according to the NGO Campaign Against Arms Trade.

SIPRI data particularly highlights the request for 12 helicopters in 2019.

In January 2024, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that “Italy had ceased sending weapons to Israel following the October 7 attacks.” However, Altreconomia reported that Rome exported weapons worth €1.3 million in December 2023, three times the amount of the same month the previous year.

The Italian government clarified that the contracts were signed before October 7, and that the materials were “unlikely to be used against civilians in Gaza.”

France

Although SIPRI data does not specifically mention France, it does provide “Israel” with arms at relatively low levels.

According to the annual report on arms exports released by the French Ministry of Armed Forces in July 2024, France has sold military equipment worth €211.7 million to “Israel” since 2014, including €25.6 million in 2022 and €19.9 million in 2023.

The report concluded by noting that Paris has emphasized it does not supply “lethal” weapons to the occupying power. The Ministry of Armed Forces confirmed in late January that “France respects its international commitments regarding arms exports to Israel.”

In this context, the ministry denied exporting lethal materials before October 7 that could potentially be used against civilians in the Gaza Strip.