EU-Israel Contracts Persist Amid Gaza Conflict Concerns

The European Union's public institutions continue to engage in lucrative contracts with Israeli companies, despite Israel's controversial actions in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. An analysis of a data set, which covers the period from January 2022 to July 2025, reveals that 194 contracts were signed, totaling nearly 2.7 billion euros ($3.1 billion). The actual financial sum is believed to be higher, as comprehensive reporting on the contracts is lacking.

Spain, a vocal critic of Israeli policies, notably participated in these dealings, accounting for 14 of these contracts, amounting to 227 million euros ($257 million). A significant portion was attributed to a 2024 agreement with Rafael, an Israeli defense firm, for aerial combat systems. Additionally, Spanish police acquired bulletproof vests from another Israeli company, Marom Dolphin.

This business engagement with Israeli firms starkly contrasts with legal proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which highlighted risks of harm to Palestinians due to Israel's actions. The ICJ's 2024 ruling emphasized the duty of states to refrain from facilitating Israel's activities in occupied territories, underscoring a dissonance between legal obligations and EU's contractual practices.