Ending complicity in international crimes: A two-way arms embargo on Israel

The undersigned organisations demand that States that have provided and continue to provide arms and other forms of military assistance to Israel, adhere to their legal obligations and act resolutely and urgently to prevent Israel from perpetuating further international crimes and other serious violations of international law. This includes their obligations to prevent the commission of genocide.

We remind these States that their binding obligations under international humanitarian law, international human rights law, international criminal law, and other international law, including the United Nations (UN) Charter, require that they put an immediate stop to such transfers, and suspend all licenses for arms destined to Israel from their jurisdictions.

States parties to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) have additional binding obligations under the treaty, and so do States under relevant regional and national legal instruments on arms control.

We recall that providing arms or military support to Israel may make exporting States complicit in its actions.

States’ Facilitation of International Crimes against Palestinians through the Provision of Arms and Military Support

Since the launching of its large-scale retaliatory military offensive on Gaza on 7 October 2023, the Israeli military has carried out indiscriminate, disproportionate and other unlawful attacks against civilian infrastructure causing widespread civilian casualties, including through the illegal use of explosive weapons and white phosphorus.

As of 2:00 pm on 7 November 2023, Israel’s military offensive has resulted in the killing of 10,328 Palestinians, of whom 67 per cent are children and women, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. In addition, about 2,450 Palestinians, including 1,350 children, have been reported missing and are presumed to be trapped or dead under the rubble. 

With “nowhere is safe in Gaza,” Palestinian civilians in besieged Gaza, including a million children, are trapped in dire conditions under almost constant bombing, where they have no access to safe shelter, food, water, electricity, or fuel. “The complete siege of Gaza coupled with unfeasible evacuation orders and forcible population transfers, is a violation of international humanitarian and criminal law,” as decried by UN experts. On 27 October, the UN General Assembly, in a resolution adopted at its emergency special session, stressed “the imperative, under international humanitarian law, of ensuring that civilians are not deprived of objects indispensable to their survival.”

Statements by Israeli officials urged that “the emphasis is on damage and not on accuracy”, and called for “erasing the Gaza Strip from the face of the earth”. In a span of under a week, Israel deployed around 6,000 bombs, almost the same quantity as the US had released in Afghanistan over the course of a year. We are particularly concerned with reports of attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, including attacks on health personnel, journalists, hospitals, schools, mosques, churches, bakeries, telecommunications infrastructure and areas marked for safe passage. Many of these acts may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity and other grave violations of international law, including incitement to commit acts of genocide.

UN human rights experts sounded the alarm on 19 October 2023, “There is an ongoing campaign by Israel resulting in crimes against humanity in Gaza. Considering statements made by Israeli political leaders and their allies, accompanied by military action in Gaza and escalation of arrests and killing in the West Bank, there is also a risk of genocide against the Palestine people”, emphasising that “There are no justifications or exceptions for such crimes. We are appalled by the inaction of the international community in the face of belligerent war-mongering.”

In addition to carpet-bombing Gaza, Israel has escalated its repression and collective punishment against the Palestinian people on both sides of the Green Line. Between 7 October and 12:00 pm on 7 November 2023, in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, the Israeli occupying forces and settlers killed 158 Palestinians, including 45 children. Furthermore, the Knesset’s National Security Committee continued with “the government’s broader plan to arm Jewish Israeli civilians”, by loosening Israel’s gun control and reportedly making an additional 400,000 Jewish-Israelis eligible to have a licence for guns.

Continued Arms Transfers to Israel in Spite of Evidence of Crimes and Other Violations

In the midst of these attacks, and despite well-documented and reported grave violations and crimes against the Palestinian population over the years, the supply of arms and military support to Israel from the United States (US), — the largest single provider of military aid to Israel for decades,— and from Canada, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom (UK), and the Netherlands — States Parties to the ATT —, has continued. At its 2021 Special Session on the grave human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, the UN Human Rights Council urged all States to refrain from transferring arms when they assess that there is a clear risk that such arms might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations or abuses of international human rights law or serious violations of international humanitarian law.

Our organisations are alarmed by the reported news that some States, including the US, the UK, and Germany, have in recent days decided to supply additional military equipment or ‘fast-track’ the supply of military equipment to Israel, in spite of ample evidence of war crimes being committed in Gaza.

International Legal Obligations Relating to Arms Transfers

Among the applicable international legal obligations:

Customary International Law

Pursuant to customary international law, as largely codified in the International Law Commission’s Draft Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts of 2001, a State that aids or assists another State in the commission of an internationally wrongful act by the latter is internationally responsible for doing so if: (a) that State does so with the knowledge of the circumstances of the internationally wrongful act; and (b) the act would be internationally wrongful if committed by that State (Article 16).

This applies to arms transfers, as well as to other forms of support that make a significant contribution to the unlawful act(s) such as logistical, technical or financial support, intelligence, or provision of other equipment.

International Humanitarian Law

Common Article 1 to the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 places a standing obligation on States to “respect and ensure respect” for the Conventions’ protections in all circumstances. In its authoritative commentary to Common Article 1, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) explains that the Article 1 obligation requires, inter alia, that States “refrain from transferring weapons if there is an expectation, based on facts or knowledge of past patterns, that the weapons would be used to violate the Conventions.”

Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)

The express purpose of the ATT was to prevent and reduce human suffering by establishing common international standards for the transfer of conventional weapons. Its Preamble refers to the obligations to respect and ensure respect for International Humanitarian Law and to respect and ensure respect for human rights.

Under Article 6(3) of the ATT, States Parties undertake not to authorise any transfer of conventional arms if they have knowledge at the time of authorisation that arms or items would be used in the commission of genocide, crimes against humanity, grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions of 1949, attacks directed against civilian objects or civilians protected as such, or other war crimes as defined by international agreements to which they are a Party.

Under Articles 7 and 11, State Parties undertake not to authorise any export of conventional arms, munitions, parts and components that would, inter alia, undermine peace and security or be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

EU Common Position on Arms Exports 2008/944/CFSP

European Union (EU) Member States are also bound by the terms of the Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP of 8 December 2008 as common rules governing the control of exports of military technology and equipment, and are, inter alia, required to “deny an export licence if there is a clear risk that the military technology or equipment to be exported might be used in the commission of serious violations of international humanitarian law.”

OSCE Principles Governing Conventional Arms Transfers

Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s (OSCE) members, which include the US , are required to adhere to the OSCE Principles Governing Conventional Arms Transfers (OSCE Principles) in their arms export decisions. Principle 4 requires States to “promote and, by means of an effective national control mechanism, exercise due restraint in the transfer of conventional arms and related technology.” In order to give effect to that principle, States “will take into account” a number of factors in considering any proposed arms exports. They are then required to avoid any transfers which breach any or all of the OSCE criteria contained within the OSCE Principles.

It is clear that the continued supply of arms exports and military aid to Israel is in violation of all these obligations. Over the years, unchecked and in many cases arguably internationally unlawful military support to Israel has also enabled, facilitated and maintained Israel’s decades-long settler-colonial and apartheid regime imposed over the Palestinian people as a whole.

A failure to take action may also render States parties complicit in internationally wrongful acts through the aiding or abetting of international crimes and may give rise to the individual criminal responsibility of senior officials of these States for aiding and abetting the commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity under Article 25(3)(c) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Given the overwhelming evidence, States providing weapons and other military assistance to Israel cannot claim that they are unaware of the myriad of serious violations of international law that are being, and have been, committed for decades. The provision of military equipment and military support to Israel with knowledge that they are likely to be used in serious violations of international law, including international crimes, invites charges of complicity.

As Israel continues to import weapons, with over USD 4 billion annually from the US and Germany alone, it has also established itself as a leader in the cybersecurity and surveillance industry and is among the world’s largest exporters of weapons, ranking tenth in 2022. Such technologies are often promoted as having been successfully tested on the Palestinian population in the context of Israel’s long-standing occupation during which they have also often been developed. Our organisations therefore further demand that States put an end to and denounce imports of arms and surveillance technology from Israel.

Demands for Immediate Measures by States

Imposing a two-way arms embargo on Israel is both a legal and a moral obligation. Pending such an embargo, all States must immediately suspend all transfers of military items and associated services and assistance to Israel. ATT States Parties must immediately terminate current, and prohibit future transfers to Israel of conventional arms, munitions, parts and components referred to in Articles 2(1), 3 and 4 of the ATT.

In addition to imposing a two-way arms embargo, States must also refrain from concluding any military cooperation agreements, including military training and intelligence operational cooperation, which could implicate them in international crimes and other serious violations of international law.

Our organisations hence call on:

1. All States to call for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional and unimpeded access of fuel and humanitarian aid, including water, food, and medical supplies, into the Gaza Strip to alleviate the dire humanitarian crisis, and the immediate lifting of the 16-year-long illegal blockade and closure;
2. The US, the UK, Germany, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands and other States that authorise the continued transfer of arms, and other forms of military support to Israel to:

• • immediately bring an end to such transfers in accordance with their international law obligations, and
  • immediately halt the provision of any materiel, equipment or other commodity that may foreseeably be used in the commission of serious international law violations including international crimes;

3. States importing arms and surveillance technology from Israel to immediately halt all such imports;
4. Transit States to refuse to have their ports and airports used for transferring arms to Israel; and
5. All ATT States Parties to cooperate within relevant international and regional organisations to impose a two-way embargo on transfers of military items to and from Israel, including by supporting the prompt organisation of an extraordinary meeting of the Conference of States Parties, as provided in Article 17.5 of the ATT.

Endorsing organisations, as of 12:00 Palestine time, 21 February 2024.

1. A Different Jewish Voice (Een Ander Joods Geluid)
2. Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights
3. African Centre for Biodiversity
4. AIXARRA Restorative Justice Forum, based at the Centre for African Studies and Linguistics, University of Cape Town.
5. Al Marsad – Social and Economic Policies Monitor
6. Al Mezan Center for Human Rights
7. Al-Haq, Law in the Service of Man
8. Alliance for Justice between Israelis and Palestinians
9. Alrowwad Cultural and Arts Society
10. American Association of Jurists (AAJ)
11. Applied Research Institute-Jerusalem
12. Aquarius Supervivienties
13. Arab Center for Agricultural Development
14. Arab Counseling Center for Education
15. Arab Lawyers Association (UK)
16. Arab Network for Knowledge about Human Rights (ANKH)
17. Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
18. Asociación Americana de Juristas
19. Asociación La Ruta del Clima
20. ASSOCIACIO HELIA
21. Association Belgo-palestinienne WB
22. Association des Universitaires pour le Respect du Droit International en Palestine (AURDIP)
23. Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE)
24. Association France Palestine Solidarité (AFPS)
25. Association pour la promotion des droits humains
26. Association pour les jumelages entre les camps de réfugiés palestiniens et les villes françaises
27. Attac France
28. Australian Centre for International Justice
29. Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy
30. Balasan Initiative for Human Rights – Palestine
31. Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM)
32. BDS Berlin
33. BDS Korea
34. Belgian Academics and Artists for Palestine (BAA4P)
35. Belgian Academics for Palestine (BA4P)
36. Bisan Center for Research and Development
37. Bizilur – Lankidetzarako eta Herrien Garapenerako Erakundea
38. Black Alliance For Peace
39. Bytes For All, Pakistan
40. Campaign Against Arms Trade
41. Canadian Voice of Women for Peace
42. Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East
43. Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, Saskatoon Chapter
44. Caribbean Amerindian Development Organisation (CADO)
45. Center for Defense of Liberties & Civil Rights “HURRYYAT”
46. Centre Delàs d’Estudis per la Pau
47. CIVICUS
48. CNE CSC
49. Coalition Burkinabè des Défenseurs des Droits Humains (CBDDH)
50. Coalition Togolaise des Défenseurs des Droits Humains (CTDDH)
51. Collectif Paix Palestine Israël [CPPI Saint-Denis]
52. Comité de Solidaridad con la Causa Árabe
53. Community Peacemaker Teams
54. Conectas Direitos Humanos
55. CooperAcción
56. Cultura è libertà una campagna per la Palestina
57. DC Black Workers Center Chorus
58. Defence of Human Rights
59. Defend our Democracy
60. Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN)
61. Deutsch-Palästinensiche Gesellschaft (DPG) e.V.
62. Disarmament Doves
63. DITSHWANELO- The Botswana Centre for Human Rights
64. Egyptian Front for Human Rights (EFHR)
65. Egyptian Human Rights Forum ( EHRF)
66. Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR)
67. EgyptWide for Human Rights
68. El Nadim Center against Violence and Torture
69. Ensemble ! Mouvement pour une Alternative de Gauche Ecologiste et Solidare
70. Environnement Action Humanitaire pour le Bien-Être (EAH Bien-être)
71. Equal Education
72. Escola de Cultura de Pau (School for a Culture of Peace)
73. EuroMed Rights
74. European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine – ECCP
75. Everyday Peacebuilding
76. Fondazione Proclade Internazionale-onlus
77. Forum Palestine Citoyenneté
78. Fundación Mundubat
79. Gaza Action Ireland
80. Gender Action for Peace and Security (GAPS)
81. Gender Studies and Human Rights Documentation Centre
82. Global Human Rights Group
83. Good Shepherd Collective
84. Goringhaicona Khoi Khoin Indigenous Traditional Council
85. Housing and Land Rights Network – Habitat International Coalition
86. Human Rights and Democracy Media Center (SHAMS)
87. Human Rights Now
88. HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement
89. IBON International
90. Impact Malaysia
91. Impact4Good
92. Indian Association of Lawyers
93. Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion
94. Intal Globalize Solidarity
95. International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
96. International Indian Treaty Council (IITC)
97. International Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (EAFORD)
98. International Peace Bureau (IPB)
99. International Peace Research Association
100. International Service for Human Rights (ISHR)
101. International Women’s Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific (IWRAW AP)
102. Intersindical Alternativa de Catalunya
103. Iraqi women network
104. Islamophobia Studies Center
105. Jeunesse Innovante et Restauration du Bien Être (JE RESTAURE BIEN ÊTRE)
106. Jewish Voice for Labour
107. Jews for Palestinian Right of Return
108. JPIC
109. Just Peace Advocates/Mouvement Pour Une Paix Juste
110. Justiça Ambiental JA! – FoE Mozambique
111. Justiça Global
112. Justice for Palestinians Calgary
113. Justitia Center for Legal Protection of Human Rights in Algeria
114. Labor for Palestine
115. Law for Palestine
116. Le Mouvement de la Paix
117. Libya Crimes Watch
118. L’union juive française pour la paix (UJFP)
119. MA’AN Development Center
120. org
121. Malaysian Youth Diplomacy (MyDiplomacy)
122. Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN)
123. MENA Rights Group
124. MenEngage Global Alliance
125. Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA-South Africa), Women Affected by Mining United in Action (WAMUA- South Africa) & Youth Affected by Mining United in Action (YAMUA- South Africa)
126. Mouvement contre le Racisme et pour l’Amitié entre les Peuples (MRAP)
127. Namibia Diverse Women’s Association
128. National Lawyers Guild – Midwest Region
129. National Lawyers Guild – St. Louis Chapter
130. National Lawyers Guild International Committee
131. National Lawyers Guild Palestine Subcommittee
132. National Lawyers Guild-San Francisco Bay Area chapter
133. Network of the Independent Commission for Human Rights in North Africa
134. New Weapons Research Group (NWRG), Italy
135. Novact Institute for Nonviolence Action
136. Oakville Palestinian Rights Association
137. OTRANS-RN
138. Palestinagrupperna i Sverige (PGS)
139. Palestinian and Jewish Unity (PAJU)
140. Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR)
141. Palestinian Counseling center
142. Passionists International
143. Peace Movement Aotearoa
144. People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD)
145. Philippines – Palestine Friendship Association
146. Plataforma Boliviana Frente al Cambio Climático
147. Platform of French NGOs for Palestine
148. Programme Against Custodial Torture & Impunity (PACTI)
149. Project on Organizing, Development, Education, and Research (PODER)
150. Project South
151. Promoting Empowerment Through Awareness for Lesbian and Bisexual Women [PETAL]
152. Refugees in Libya
153. Refugees Platform In Egypt (RPE)
154. Resistance in Brooklyn
155. Resistance Studies Initiative, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
156. Rete Italiana Pace Disarmo
157. Sexual Rights Initiative
158. SHOAA for Human Rights – شعاع لحقوق الإنسان
159. Sinai Foundation for Human Rights
160. Step Up Youth Initiative
161. Stop Fuelling War, Cessez d’alimenter la Guerre
162. Stop Killer Robots Aotearoa New Zealand Campaign
163. Sudanese Women Rights Action
164. Tamer institute for Community Education
165. The Civic Coalition for Jerusalem
166. The Community Action Center at Al-Quds University
167. The Gender Agency
168. The Global Interfaith Network For People of All Sexes, Sexual Orientations, Gender Identities and Expressions (GIN SSOGIE)
169. The Jus Semper Global Alliance
170. The Kurdish Human Rights Action Group (KHRAG)
171. The Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy (PIPD)
172. The Regional Coalition for Women Human Rights Defenders in South West Asia and North Africa (also known as WHRDMENA)
173. The Rights Forum
174. Transnational Institute
175. Transnational Migrant Platform Europe (TMPE)
176. Union Juive Française pour la Paix (UJFP)
177. Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC)
178. Vancouver Catholic Worker
179. Vredesactie- Belgium
180. We Women Lanka Net Work
181. WomanHealth Philippines
182. Women and Media Collective
183. Women in Black Vienna
184. Women’s Center for Legal Aid and Counselling
185. Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)
186. Women’s Library, West Bengal, India.
187. Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO)
188. Worldwide Lawyers Association
189. Young Feminist Europe