How Indian Companies Are Fueling Israel’s War in Gaza: A Deep Dive into the Bloody Trade
Since October 7, Israel’s continuous attacks on Gaza have been ongoing. By trampling on international agreements and the principles of war, Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Israel is not alone in this; it has full support from the United States. The U.S. has been aiding Israel from the beginning with vast amounts of money and weapons. Besides the U.S., many other countries have been supplying Israel with money and weapons. Some of these countries are involved in a bloody trade by selling Israel the necessary equipment for manufacturing weapons and ammunition.
In the first Lok Sabha session of the third term of Narendra Modi’s government, Member of Parliament Asaduddin Owaisi raised the issue, asking, “Why is India supplying weapons to Israel? Will this be stopped? While India has always maintained its stance of supporting Palestine.” In fact, many Indian public and private companies are involved in this bloody trade with Israel. Now, as Israel continues its inhumane operations in Gaza, providing weapons, necessary equipment for making weapons, and war machinery to Israel means being complicit in this crime.
According to a report published by Workers in Palestine, there are 19 Indian companies supplying Israel with essential components for war, weapons, and the necessary equipment for manufacturing weapons. Adani-Elbit Advanced Systems, Tata Advanced Systems, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, and Bharat Electronics are the major Indian companies involved in this bloody trade. These companies are supplying their products to Israel’s Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, and Elbit Systems.
In February this year, Adani-Elbit Advanced Systems supplied Israel with 20 Hermes and 900 drones.
Other small and large Indian companies are supplying Israel with aerospace components, electronic parts, and explosives. According to the report, these Indian companies have supplied goods worth $500 million between 2020 and 2023.
Among these, Israel’s state-owned company Israel Aerospace Industries imported the most, amounting to $257 million. Meanwhile, Elbit Systems imported $233 million, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems imported $73 million. India’s two public sector companies, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Electronics (BHEL), exported goods worth $89 million and $81 million to Israel, respectively. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited supplied payload assemblies and display systems worth approximately $48 million to Israel Aerospace Industries. Similarly, it supplied night vision goggles and threat assemblies worth $41 million to Elbit Advanced Systems. Bharat Electronics supplied sensors, cable assemblies, telescopes, radars, and fire control assemblies to Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, and Elbit Systems.
Adani earned a total of $143 million from this bloody trade. Its three companies, Alpha Design Technologies, Alpha Elsec Aerospace Systems, and Adani-Elbit Advanced Systems, supplied Israel with very high-frequency devices, optoelectronic parts, lasers, thermal imagers, and drones.
Among the 19 Indian companies, SASMOS HET is at the top in terms of individual supply. This company has supplied Israel with wires, cables, insulated electric conductors, optical fiber cables, etc.
According to the Workers in Palestine report, between 2020 and 2023, India’s Solar Industries India supplied explosive materials worth $12 million to Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. The company supplied explosive materials worth $6.24 million to Israel.
The supply of explosive materials is controlled under India’s Foreign Trade Policy. All types of items included in explosive materials require permission from government agencies for supply, and a special license must be obtained from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. Solar Industries India applied for 36 licenses for the supply of these items last year. Among these, 18 licenses were applied for after October 7. Out of these 18, the government approved two, one in December 2023 and one in January 2024.
The UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights noted that amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza, Indian companies are supplying Israel with the necessary components used in this genocide.
Even now, the massacre of innocent civilians, including women, children, and the elderly, continues in Gaza. Everything is clear and evident. This is the first genocide being watched live by the entire world through media and social media. Despite this, neither is it being stopped nor is any strict action being taken against Israel, the perpetrator of this genocide. We have seen how, in the name of terrorism and threats to the country or the world and humanity, countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya were attacked and destroyed. And today, Israel is being openly allowed to commit terrorism and genocide in Gaza. In fact, all those countries that preach peace to the world are providing Israel with money, weapons, and war machinery to carry out this massacre and genocide of the people in Gaza. We are witnessing how this bloody trade is being conducted. Everything is visible and is being recorded in the dark pages of history.
REFERENCE : Meher Ali’s Article published in Maktoob Media on 3 August 2024 https://maktoobmedia.com/gaza-genocide/indian-companies-arming-israels-genocidal-military-establishments/