Countries denounce Israel but keep trading with it

Countries denounce Israel but keep trading with it

The foreign ministers of 28 nations have signed a statement calling for an end to Israel’s war on Gaza as Israel continues to kill Palestinians quickly and slowly through air strikes and starvation.

There hasn’t been much action on other fronts because these nations have spoken in response to the warnings from the UN and other organizations about a looming famine months later.

While France last week caused anger among Israeli officials by announcing it would do the same in September, some of these nations have recognized the Palestinian state.

Many critics have pointed out that many nations continue to benefit from trade with Israel while making these statements and have not imposed any sanctions or other steps to put an end to Israel’s genocidal war against Gaza.

In Gaza, 144 people were killed and 477 were injured in addition to the war’s at least 59.

What you need to know about the nations that Israel favors while its military actions are condemned is this:

What kind of trade are there between Israel and the signatories of the statement?

According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity’s 2023 figures for Israel, Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom all have more than $1 billion in imports, exports, or both.

What goods do these nations trade with Israel?

Cars and other motor vehicles, integrated circuits, vaccines, and perfumes are just a few examples of the items that are being traded.

The largest individual product imported to Ireland, accounting for about $3.58 billion, is made up of integrated circuits, which accounts for the majority of its imports from Israel.

Italy exports to Israel more frequently than any other nation that signed the statement. Its $3.49bn of exports included $116m in cars in 2023.

Israeli airstrikes in the northern Gaza Strip close to Beit Hanoon, as seen from Israel on July 27, 2025 [Atef Safadi/EPA]

Are these nations tolerant of Palestine?

Ireland and Spain, two of the nations that signed the statement, have publicly opposed Israel’s actions in Gaza and recognized Palestine in 2024. Still, they are still able to continue trading with Israel.

Cyprus, Malta, and Poland, all of which recognized Palestine in 1988, shortly after the Palestinian Declaration of Independence, are also recognized as being members of the seven other nations that signed the statement.

France announced that it will recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September, while Sweden (2014), Norway (2024), and Slovenia (2024) also ratified it.

The statement was signed by who?

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Malta, Malta, Malta, Malta, Malta, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK.

They are still trading with Israel in total.

What response did Israel give to the statement?

As anticipated.

Israel rejects the statement, according to Oren Marmorstein, a spokesperson for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, saying it is “sent to Hamas in a disjointed manner.”

INTERACTIVE - Israel attacks Gaza tracker death toll ceasefire July 27 2025-a-1753622541
[Al Jazeera]

What other activities do nations engage in in bilateral trading with Israel?

After holding an urgent call to discuss the conflict and the humanitarian crisis brought on by Israel’s siege and aid blockade on the enclave, France, Germany, and the UK called for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza and “unconditional release of all hostages.”

Has anything about this caused Israel to reevaluate its behavior?

Even long-time Israeli stalwart supporters, including former US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, have been drawn to the Gaza hunger issue.

In al-Mawasi, Deir el-Balah, and Gaza City, Israel announced “tactical pauses” for “humanitarian purposes” from 10am to 8pm (07:00 to 17:00 GMT). On Sunday, they began.

At least 43 Palestinians were killed early on Sunday by Israeli forces despite the pauses.

In addition to two children, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza reported on Sunday that it had already recorded six more fatalities as a result of famine and malnutrition over the course of 24 hours.

Source: Aljazeera

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