Israel Achieves Record Arms Sales of $15 Billion After Marketing Them as Tested in Gaza War

Data reviewed shows that Israel achieved record arms sales in 2024, with revenues reaching $15 billion.

The weapons were marketed as battle-tested, following their use in the genocide war launched by Israel on the Gaza Strip starting October 8, 2023, lasting two years, resulting in the fall of more than 71,000 martyrs, mostly women and children.

Most exports were missiles, shells, and air defense systems, according to a statement issued by the Israeli government in June last year.

More than half of these shipments went to European armies, while other shipments headed to countries in the Asia-Pacific region, led by India.

Israel is one of the top 10 arms exporting countries in the world.

Selling Impunity

The increase in revenues last year came at a time when Israel faces accusations of genocide.

Indeed, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of committing war crimes.

Regarding exploiting the genocide in weapon marketing, Anthony Loewenstein, author of the book "Palestine Laboratory: How Israel Exports Occupation Technology to the World", spoke and said Loewenstein that Israel sells the idea of impunity and added "There is great appeal for that among many other countries".

For his part, the specialist in Israeli arms trade Shir Hever said that countries importing Israeli weapons know that their action "is illegal".

He explained that importers of weapons from Israel know that a genocide is taking place in Gaza, and that it is not permissible to do business with countries committing war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Surveillance Technologies

Israeli arms exports also include artificial intelligence tools and surveillance such as facial recognition technology, which has been installed in hundreds of sites in the occupied West Bank and is widely used in Gaza as well.

Regarding this technology, Ahmed Labbad, a former Palestinian detainee, spoke, who discovered the extent of Israeli surveillance in December 2023 when he was arrested.

He said that the Israeli soldiers knew his wife's phone number, his new and old address, the names of his neighbors and everyone he worked with.

He added "After what I went through in the interrogation, I am convinced that we are monitored all the time. Completely exposed".

The Israeli Ministry of Defense said in June last year that demand from Europe saw tremendous growth in 2024, with exports rising 54% compared to 36% in 2023.

The Asia-Pacific region came in second with 23%, and the United States with 9%.

Despite the increased demand from Europe, some countries, such as Spain, imposed restrictions on arms imports from Israel.