End Arms Exports to Israel
We cannot stop talking about Palestine. Israel has killed more than 32,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and more than 7,000 are still missing. More than 75,000 people are injured.[1]
Israel is committing war crimes on a massive scale. To name a few: using starvation as a weapon of war, resulting in the International Criminal Court of Justice ruling that famine is setting in. Meanwhile, Israel is blocking all possibilities of aid entering the Gaza Strip. [2] In the northern region of Gaza, over 70% of the Palestinian population is projected to suffer from a level 5 IPC status, indicating a state of Catastrophe/Famine, while the remaining 30% are projected at a level 4 status (Emergency). [5] Next to that, Israel has killed civilians while they were collecting food aid.[4]
Of course, Hamas must immediately release civilian hostages - just as Israel should release Palestinians who have been wrongfully detained both before and since October 7th. But this cannot begin to justify Israel’s actions.
Nothing can justify this killing.
A ray of hope is that international support for Israel’s brutal campaign on Palestine is fizzling out, while US support for Israel is slowly declining and the UN Security Council’s call for a ceasefire is a sign that the tide is turning.
Now is the time for us to keep pushing: For the ban of weapon exports to Israel, for the recognition of Palestine as a state, and for a permanent ceasefire!
We demand immediate action from the European Commission to reassess and end arms export licenses to Israel. The Commission must acknowledge its responsibility to uphold human rights, maintain regional stability, and uphold the integrity of the EU's Common Position on arms exports. Failure to do so would be a blatant disregard for the fundamental values and commitments of the European Union.
This is the least we can do!
Why the Commission must act?
The EU has a Common Position on arms exports that guides member states in assessing whether to grant export licenses for arms and military equipment.
The Common Position sets out criteria for assessing whether an export license should be granted, including considerations related to respect for human rights in the recipient country, the risk of the weapons being used for internal repression or external aggression, and the risk of the weapons being diverted to unauthorized users.
The European Commission can’t continue closing their eyes on the dire crisis in Palestine and internationally recognized outrageous human rights violations committed by Israel. The Commission has to ensure strict adherence to EU laws and principles. In light of the ongoing atrocities inflicted upon the Palestinian population, there can be no room for delay. The Commission has to take concrete steps to end the export of weapons to Israel, demonstrating a firm commitment to promoting peace, justice, and the well-being of all affected by this ongoing conflict.
We have the power to end this suffering; we have the power to push for our governments to help end this killing. It’s time we use our rights and our democracy to show compassion and change the world for the better. Let’s use it together!
Help us pressure Ursula Von Der Leyen and the Commission to ban the export of weapons to Israel! Send an email now!
[1]: https://www.ochaopt.org/content/hostilities-gaza-strip-and-israel-reported-impact-day-175
[2]: https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/04/1148141
[3]: https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/29/gaza-aid-trucks-death-toll-explainer
[4]: https://www.ipcinfo.org/ipcinfo-website/resources/resources-details/en/c/1156874/