International body warns against arms transfers to Israel
In the ongoing Gaza conflict, a significant development has emerged as Germany has halted arms deliveries to Israel. This move, as mentioned earlier, has sparked a wave of condemnation from several world leaders who are concerned about the expansion of the conflict.
The Council, a human rights organisation representing 46 states, has voiced its concern, calling for a halt to arms transfers to Israel that could be used in Gaza. The call was made shortly after Germany announced its decision, citing concerns about the potential for civilian harm and impeding humanitarian aid.
The international community is governed by laws and standards on arms transfers, designed to prevent human rights violations in conflict zones. Key frameworks and norms include the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) of 2013, which prohibits signatory states from authorising arms exports if there is a risk of serious violations of international law. Other important norms include international customary law and treaties, such as the Geneva Conventions, which impose obligations on third-party states not to supply weapons to conflict parties likely to use them in ways that contravene international law.
The United States Arms Export Control Act requires arms transfers to be for legitimate self-defense only and prohibits transfers if weapons are used in human rights violations or breaches of international humanitarian law. The recently introduced Silver Shield Act of 2025 aims to strengthen operational end-use monitoring to track and prevent misuse of U.S. arms in conflicts such as Gaza.
Many European states have adapted their national laws to implement the ATT and have imposed arms embargoes or restrictions in light of concerns about the use of weapons in Gaza causing excessive civilian harm and impeding humanitarian aid. Israel, along with the U.S. and Russia, has notably not joined the ATT.
International criticism has centered on documented civilian harm from weapons supplied by some states, raising legal and ethical concerns about continuing arms transfers. Human rights groups and some lawmakers argue that ongoing transfers violate domestic and international legal standards prohibiting enabling consistent patterns of gross human rights abuses and blocking humanitarian aid.
Michael O'Flaherty, the Council's commissioner for human rights, has reiterated the need for urgent action. He urged efforts to ensure unhindered access for humanitarian assistance and the immediate release of hostages. O'Flaherty emphasised the importance of applying existing legal standards to ensure arms transfers are not authorized where there is a risk of human rights violations.
The Council's commissioner also stated that it is essential to intensify efforts to provide relief to those affected by the conflict. However, these calls for action remain unaddressed. The Council has taken note of government initiatives and contributions by some national human rights structures in raising awareness, but these acknowledgements remain unaddressed as well.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defends the plan to target Hamas strongholds in Gaza as the best way to end the war. However, the international community continues to press for caution in arms transfers, aiming to prevent further human rights violations and ensure the safety and well-being of civilians in the region.
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