UN expert calls for Israeli defence cooperation to end
Defence cooperation with Israel is under increased scrutiny from Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, according to Middle East Eye and agencies on July 28th.
She has urged an immediate trade and arms embargo on Israel, writing on X: “I wish those in power had listened to those who sounded the alarm when the genocide started.”
“It is never too late to stop it. Cut trade with Israel now. Arms embargo now.”
Albanese has repeatedly criticised Israel’s conduct during the genocidal war on Gaza, while also condemning the international community for its enablement of these abuses via ongoing trade and military ties with Israel.
This condemnation has led to criticism from the US and European governments, with many accusations being centred on claims that Albanese is antisemitic; Albanese has denied that her criticisms are tied to anti-Jewish sentiments.
Since July 2025, Albanese has been under sanctions imposed by US President Donald Trump.
Her comments on July 28th came amid growing concerns about complicity in war crimes during Israel’s wars on Gaza, Iran and Lebanon, alongside violence in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Accounting for 53% of Israel’s total conventional arms imports since 2023, the US is Israel’s largest arms supplier; Germany covers the remaining 47%.
On June 2nd, Israel’s Defence Ministry claimed that arms exports reached “a record high” in 2025, with Europe being the largest arms purchaser, accounting for 36% of total exports.
Growing European interest in Israeli arms has been linked to security concerns about Russia, with governments reportedly expressing interest in weapons advertised by defence contractors as “battle-tested.”
Since 2023, several European nations have maintained defence partnerships with Israel despite concerns about human rights violations.
These countries include Greece, France, Serbia, the Czech Republic and Britain; Serbian arms sales to Israel have reached record levels since 2023.
Outside of Europe, India, Morocco and Thailand have also sought Israeli defence cooperation, with Thailand using Israeli-made weapons during border clashes with Cambodia in late 2025.
Israel has received US military and economic aid worth over $300 billion since its establishment in 1948.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to reduce Israel’s reliance on foreign aid to strengthen the domestic defence industry.
Middle East Eye and agencies, Maghrebi.org
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