FALCON POWERS – Eight organizations, including the French branch of Amnesty International, have announced the initiation of urgent legal proceedings to demand the “suspension of arms delivery” from France to Israel.
In a statement released by these non-governmental organizations, including “ATAK” and “Solidarity,” it was stated that “the clear danger of weapons and military equipment exported by France to Israel being used to commit grave crimes against civilian populations in the occupied Gaza Strip is evident.”
Thus, “France is violating relevant international rules, particularly the Arms Trade Treaty, and may become complicit in violations of international law, including war crimes and potential genocide,” according to the organizations that have launched or intend to launch three separate urgent legal actions.
In late March, French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, denied that France had sold Israel components for automatic rifles following Hamas’ unprecedented attack on its territory on October 7th. However, two investigative outlets revealed that “France allowed, in late October 2023, the delivery of at least 100,000 cartridges for machine guns that could be used against civilians in Gaza.”
During a press conference, lawyer Vincent Brengarth, representing six organizations, including the French-Palestinian Solidarity Association, stated that “there is extreme opacity regarding France’s current intervention and arms provision.” He further emphasized that “complicity in arms supply actions contradicts the duty to prevent genocide,” while the war in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 33,500 people, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Health affiliated with the Hamas movement in the Strip.
