France's Arms Sales Transparency: Lecornu Responds to Accusations of Military Equipment Exports to Israel
Sébastien Lecornu declassifies document to clarify France's military exports to Israel.
Key Points
- • Lecornu denies arms sales to Israel, stating only defensive equipment is supplied.
- • The declassified document counters claims from Progressive International regarding military equipment exports.
- • In 2023, France's arms orders from Israel were €19.9 million, stable compared to previous years.
- • Significant rise in dual-use exports to Israel from €34 million to €192 million reported.
In a bid to clarify France's military export policies, Sébastien Lecornu, the French Minister of the Armed Forces, has publicly declassified a document aimed at dispelling accusations of arms sales to Israel. Lecornu stated unequivocally, "La France ne vend pas d’armes à Israël. Point," emphasizing that France only provides defensive military equipment or components intended for re-exportation.
The impetus for this transparency follows a report by Progressive International, which alleged that France has been consistently supplying military equipment to Israel since October 2023, including components applicable for the creation of bombs and missiles. In response, Lecornu shared the declassified document with both the National Assembly and Senate's heads of Defense committees to reinforce his position on the issue.
The document details specific exports to Israel, prominently mentioning components for the Iron Dome defense system, reaffirming that all sales are within the framework of France's defense policy. Lecornu revealed that in 2023, French arms orders from Israel amounted to €19.9 million—a figure that has remained stable compared to prior years. Conversely, dual-use exports, which include a range of electronic goods for both civilian and military applications, saw a significant increase, expanding from €34 million to €192 million, with growth attributed to heightened demands for electronic equipment.
Additionally, Lecornu addressed the contentious atmosphere surrounding these military dealings, referencing an incident where dock workers in Marseille refused to load military supplies designated for Israel, reflecting public dissent regarding the French government's arms export practices. This event underlines the ongoing unease and scrutiny surrounding France's military engagement with Israel amid heightened geopolitical tensions.