Israeli arms companies’ revenues soared in 2024

Israeli arms companies generated record-breaking profits last year as some of their products were “battle-tested” after participating in Israel’s genocidal war against the Palestinians in Gaza.

Israel’s defense exports increased by 13% in 2024 from the previous year, reaching a record of almost $15 billion, dominated by missiles, rockets, and air defense systems, according to a statement released in June.

In 2024, more than half of the deliveries were made by European military units, while India was the only exporter. Other shipments were made in Asia-Pacific.

One of the top ten nations in the world exports arms, Israel.

Israel is currently facing allegations of genocide in a case brought by South Africa to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes.

The author of The Palestine Laboratory: How Israel Exports the Technology of Occupation Around the World, Antony Loewenstein, told Al Jazeera, “Israel sells the idea of getting away with it.”

That appeals to many other countries, according to the statement.

Israeli arms trade specialist Shir Hever claimed that countries that import Israeli weapons are aware of their “illegal” behavior.

Hever stated to Al Jazeera, “Buyers are aware that a genocide is occurring, and third countries are required by law to not trade with nations that are committing war crimes and crimes against humanity.”

Palestinians in Gaza who have survived the war recount attacks that have claimed the lives of their loved ones as Israeli weapons companies increase their revenues.

Kareem al-Birawi claimed that last year, his mother and three siblings were killed in a quadcopter attack at Jabalia’s Osama Ben Zaid School.

The drone entered the room, I saw. He claimed that there was a red flash before smoke emerged.

“After that, there was fire and an explosion.” My mother and aunt screamed. Then they all sat still.

We are constantly being watched.

Israeli weapons exports include facial recognition technology, which is widely used in Gaza and is used in hundreds of locations in the occupied West Bank.

When released from prison in December of this year, Palestinian detainee Ahmad Lubbad was detained and learned how closely Israel was being watched.

He claimed to Al Jazeera that Israeli soldiers had access to his wife’s phone number, both of his new and old addresses, as well as the names of his neighbors and those with whom he collaborated.

“I’m convinced that we are watched every second,” I said after the interrogation. Fully exposed, Lubbad claimed.

Exports increased by 54% from 36% in 2023 to 54% of the total, according to Israel’s Ministry of Defense’s report from June. Asia Pacific surpassed Europe by 23% and the United States by 9%.