US and Germany Complicit in Israeli Atrocities Through Massive Arms Sales, UN Expert Warns
Israeli Soldier Carrying U.S Missiles Photo: @MayBrujaMolona
January 2, 2025 Hour: 7:27 pm
The United States and Germany are facing increasing scrutiny for their role in enabling Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, with a UN human rights expert denouncing the two countries’ complicity in potential war crimes through the provision of massive amounts of weapons.
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Since October 7, 2023, the US has reportedly provided Israel with over $22 billion in military aid, bolstering its capacity to carry out what many on the left are calling a “genocidal” campaign against the people of Gaza and repeated aggressions against Lebanon, Syria and Yemen.
The arms shipments, detailed in a report by Israel Hayom, include crucial weaponry such as Iron Dome missile defense system interceptors, precision-guided bombs, CH-53 heavy transport helicopters, and artillery shells, further fueling Israel’s military operations. This constant flow of arms, according to sources, has contributed to an estimated 15% increase in profits for major Israeli arms companies, reaching $13.6 billion since the start of the recent assault on Gaza.
The devastating impact of this military campaign is undeniable. To date, at least 45,581 Palestinians have been killed, over 108,438 injured, and more than 11,000 are missing.
Ben Saul, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism, has issued a damning indictment, revealing that approximately 99% of the weapons and ammunition used by Israel come from the United States and Germany. Saul warned that this level of support makes these nations potentially liable under international law.
Saul highlighted the crucial role the US and Germany play in maintaining Israel’s war machine, providing the equipment used in ongoing violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza and in attacks against other Arab nations. He underscored the unprecedented scale of violence and destruction in Gaza, where countless displaced people lack safe refuge as Israel intensifies its attacks, even targeting humanitarian aid facilities, including those run by the UNRWA.
“Even though people have been repeatedly displaced and have nowhere safe to go, Israel is still using incredible levels of violence,” Saul stated, pointing out the blatant disregard for international norms and basic human rights.
Saul emphasized that countries have an obligation under international law not to supply arms to nations when there is a known risk of those weapons being used in violations of international humanitarian law. In this context, he warned that the US and Germany could be seen as violating the Geneva Conventions, and their military support to Israel could be regarded as a contribution to the commission of war crimes.
“The International Court of Justice (ICJ) warned about the risk of genocide in Gaza. There is an obligation under the Genocide Convention to prevent genocide, and this entails a duty not to provide arms that may be used to carry out that genocide,” Saul affirmed.
The UN expert’s comments underscore a growing international awareness of the complicity of powerful nations in perpetuating violence. It raises significant questions about the ethical implications of arms deals and the responsibilities of states that supply weapons to regimes with a record of human rights abuses. This analysis calls for a re-evaluation of existing mechanisms to ensure greater accountability and transparency in the global arms trade, particularly in situations where the consequences are clearly catastrophic.
Autor: OSG
Fuente: Al Mayadeen-HispanTV
