News - World: European countries have doubled their weapons imports from Israel, despite growing calls to boycott the occupying regime amid its ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

Israel’s arms exports surged to a record $14.8 billion in 2024, according to figures released on Thursday by the ministry of military affairs, with European countries accounting for the largest share of the increase.

As per the report, European countries accounted for 54 percent of Israel’s total weapons exports in 2024—up sharply from 35 percent the previous year.

Arms sales to Europe nearly doubled, reaching $8 billion, as nations across the continent ramped up military spending amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Israel’s minister of military affairs, Israel Katz hailed the fourth consecutive year of growth as “a direct result” of the alleged “successes” of the Israeli military. “The world sees Israeli strength and seeks to be a partner to it,” he claimed.

Some Arab states, which signed normalization agreements with Tel Aviv in recent years have also increased their weapons purchases from the regime.

Israel’s arms exports to the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco rose from three percent to 12 percent in 2024.

The surge in Israeli arms sales comes amid growing public pressure across Europe to boycott Israel and demand stronger government action to end the regime’s genocidal war on Palestinians.

Under mounting domestic scrutiny, France has announced it is considering “concrete steps” to hold Israel accountable for obstructing humanitarian aid to Gaza. On Thursday, President Emmanuel Macron said a decision would be made “in the next couple of days.”

Meanwhile, Spain canceled a $325 million contract with an Israeli company for anti-tank missiles, citing concerns over Israeli atrocities in Gaza.

 Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva renewed calls for Palestinian statehood recognition.

Israel launched its genocidal campaign in Gaza on October 7, 2023, killing at least 54,677 Palestinians so far.

Source: Press TV