Western Nations Continue to Support Israel Amid Genocide Campaign in Gaza

Strategic Insights -

Western nations, particularly the US, UK, and Germany, have reaffirmed their commitment to support Israel, despite a genocide campaign in the Gaza Strip, characterized by civilian casualties and a humanitarian crisis. The support has been unwavering, with Western countries vetoing UN Security Council resolutions calling for a humanitarian pause and cease-fire. The US, in particular, has made 10 Middle East tours since the conflict escalated, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visiting Israel nine times. Despite international calls for a cease-fire, Western countries have continued to provide substantial military support to Israel, with the US providing 70.2% of Israel's conventional weapons imports from 2011-2020.

Key Takeaways:

  • Despite international calls for a cease-fire, Western nations have continued to support Israel, with the US and UK affirming Israel's "right to self-defense" and promising to provide all possible assistance.
  • The US has vetoed multiple UN Security Council resolutions calling for a humanitarian pause and cease-fire in Gaza, with the latest one being adopted on March 25.
  • Western countries have refrained from condemning Israel's attacks on Gaza and refused to call a clear "cease-fire" for an extended period, with the US, Austria, and the Czech Republic voting against a draft resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire.
  • The US provided 70.2% of Israel's conventional weapons imports from 2011-2020, followed by Germany at 23.9% and Italy with 5.9%, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
  • Western military support for Israel has remained substantial since the start of the current war, with the US approving a $95 billion foreign military aid package in April, allocating $17 billion to Israel.
  • An investigation by the Haaretz newspaper in Israel found that 173 military and civilian cargo flights from the US and American military bases transported weapons and ammunition to Israel from Oct. 7 - July 2024.
  • European countries, including Germany, the UK, and Italy, have approved billions of euros in arms sales to Israel, with the value of export licenses granted to Israel from EU countries reaching approximately pound 6.3 billion ($6.91 billion) between 2014 and 2022.

Statistics:

  • The US has provided 70.2% of Israel's conventional weapons imports from 2011-2020, according to SIPRI.
  • Germany has approved at least pound 1.4 billion ($1.5 billion) worth of arms sales to Israel between 2015 and 2020, according to the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT).
  • The UK has exported pound 426 million in military equipment to Israel, including components for fighter jets, missiles, tanks, light weapons, and ammunition, between 2014 and 2022.
  • Italy has made sales to Israel in the last quarter of 2023, despite the government's "assurance to prevent arms sales under laws prohibiting exports to countries that violate human rights."
  • The total number of victims in Gaza has exceeded 41,800, with 96,844 injuries and counting, according to recent reports.

Sources:

  • Haaretz newspaper, investigation into military cargo flights to Israel (no date)
  • Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), report on conventional weapons imports to Israel (2011-2020)
  • Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), database of arms sales to Israel (2014-2022)
  • Reuters, article on US veto of UN Security Council resolution on Oct. 18, 2023
  • UN Security Council, resolution demanding immediate cease-fire in Gaza on Dec. 8, 2023 (S/2023/...)
  • European Commission, statement by President Ursula von der Leyen on support for Israel (no date)
  • Ankara Times, article on Western support for Israel (no date)