Prominent Indians call on government to halt arms sales to Israel over Gaza war

New Delhi (Quds News Network)- Over two dozen prominent Indian figures have called on the government to halt the sale and export of arms and ammunition to Israel or “forever be linked to the genocide in Gaza.”

Earlier this week, several prominent figures, including former Indian Supreme Court judges, and bureaucrats, sent a letter to India’s defense ministry calling for an immediate halt to the issuing of permits to export arms, drones and other explosives to Israel.

In the letter seen by Middle East Eye (MEE), over two dozen signatories said the continuation of weapons exports to Israel would amount to a serious breach of international law, given the preliminary findings of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). According to Article III of the Genocide Convention, state complicity in genocide is a punishable offence.

The letter, signed by prominent figures like advocate Prashant Bhushan, senior advocate Mihir Desai, and activist Harsh Mander among others, comes just over a month after reports surfaced of several arms transfers from India to Israel – even after the ICJ found it is plausible that Israel has committed crimes that violate the Genocide convention.

Organizers behind the letter said they believe at least three companies in India had been granted licenses for the export of arms and military equipment to Israel during this period.

The letter added that the licenses were obtained either from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) or the Department of Defence Production (DDP), which authorize the export of arms and munitions for “military use and dual use purposes”.

“The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has clearly ruled that Israel is in violation of obligations under the Genocide Convention and further that Israel is in illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories.
“In light of these rulings, any supply of military material to Israel would amount to a violation of India’s obligations under international humanitarian law,“ the letter dated 30 July said.

“India is bound by various international laws and treaties that obligate India not to supply military weapons to States guilty of war crimes, as any export could be used in serious violations of international humanitarian law,” the letter added.

“India therefore cannot export any military equipment or weapons to Israel when there is a serious risk that these weapons might be used to commit war crimes,” the letter said.