TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President of Ireland, Michael Higgins, has called for Israel and countries supplying weapons to be excluded from the United Nations (UN). His statement follows a report by an independent expert team appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, which concluded that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza, according to Anadolu on September 16.
In his statement, Higgins said, "It goes further and suggests that the incitement to genocide has been present, and it specifically mentions those in high office who use language to encourage and incite genocide."
1. United States
According to Newsweek, the United States was the main supplier of weapons to Israel, accounting for 69 percent of its conventional weapons imports between 2019 and 2023, as reported by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict on October 7, 2023, Washington has strengthened its military support to Israel by approving over 100 foreign military sales packages. This assistance includes air defense systems, precision-guided ammunition, artillery, tank rounds, and small arms, according to a report by the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD).
Furthermore, the United States provided Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), Small Diameter Bombs (SDBs), and approved the sale of SPICE guidance kits to enhance Israel's precision strike capabilities. Other deliveries include 155mm artillery ammunition, Hellfire missiles, 30mm rounds, 120mm tank rounds, night devices (PVS-14), and Bunker Defeat Munitions.
Even at the end of January 2025, Washington planned to sell F-35s, Apache attack helicopters, Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk and SH-60 Seahawk helicopters, drones, M109 howitzers, M270 rocket launch systems, F-16s, and thousands of artillery shells. Towards the end of March 2025, the Biden administration approved a $2.5 billion deal for 25 F-35s and aircraft engines, including 1,800 MK-84 bombs and 500 MK-82 bombs. This agreement was reinforced by a deal on June 4, 2025, for an additional 25 F-35s.
2. Germany
Germany is the second largest weapons supplier in Europe. According to Workers in Palestine, cited by Anadolu, Berlin supplied submarines, Sa'ar 6 corvettes, torpedoes, combat vehicle engines, and Merkava-4 tank components, with some of the costs funded by the German government.
SIPRI data noted that in 2023, Germany delivered two Sa'ar 6 corvettes, 10 DM2A4 torpedoes for Dolphin submarines, and various diesel engines for military vehicles. Sa'ar 6 corvettes and Eitan armored vehicles have been used in blockading operations off the Gaza coast. Eitan vehicles, powered by German diesel engines, were deployed on the front lines in Gaza alongside other infantry combat vehicles to support Israel's military operations in the city.
According to Der Spiegel in January 2024, Germany agreed to ship 10,000 120mm tank rounds from its military stockpile, following Israel's request in November 2023. However, according to The Times of Israel on August 8, 2025, the German government pledged to suspend the sale of weapons that could be used in Gaza, after widespread criticism from European and Arab countries over Israel's decision to invade Gaza City.
3. United Kingdom
According to Action on Armed Violence, the UK continues to supply components for F-35 and F-16 aircraft used by the Israeli Air Force in Gaza. Human Rights Watch noted that around 15 percent of F-35 components are produced in the UK.
Data from Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) shows that since 2008, the UK has permitted arms exports to Israel worth 560 million. Many licenses are open-ended without quantity or value limits. Although the government suspended 29 licenses in September 2024, Al Jazeera reported that shipments continued.
A total of 8,630 pieces of ammunition were shipped after the suspension, including bombs, grenades, torpedoes, mines, and missiles. The UK government claims a relatively small export value, but evidence shows direct shipments of F-35 fighter aircraft components still continued.
4. Italy
Italy contributed 0.9 percent of Israel's total weapon imports between 2019 and 2023. The export value of weapons in December 2023 reached 1.3 million, according to the report from Altreconomia. However, in October 2024, under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government, Italy imposed a full embargo.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani emphasized that Italy had not made any arms shipments since the beginning of Israel's attack on Gaza, in accordance with the law prohibiting exports to countries at war or violating international human rights.
5. Spain
According to Arab News, the Spanish government canceled contracts worth nearly 700 million euros for SILAM rocket launchers from the Israeli company Elbit Systems. They also terminated another contract worth 287 million euros for 168 anti-tank missile launchers.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a decree banning all military equipment sales and purchases with Israel. According to La Vanguardia, the government is reviewing Israeli technology acquisitions to eliminate its dependency on them.
6. Netherlands
The Netherlands has been exporting Iron Dome air defense system components and warships to Israel. Since October 2023, the Dutch government has revoked eight export licenses, but three were withdrawn in August 2025 due to the risk of unintended use, as reported by Dutch News.
An appellate court had previously halted the export of F-35 components, and the case is now being brought to the Supreme Court. Ten Palestinian and Dutch organizations have also filed a lawsuit against the government to halt all arms exports, citing the Genocide Convention and the Arms Trade Treaty.
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