Due to the escalating violence in Gaza, Spain has demanded an arms embargo on Israel. But serious pressure can only be brought about if the three largest arms exporters are involved. Who sells weapons to Israel?
Amidst growing international criticism of the Israeli army's actions in Gaza, Spain has asked European countries to stop supplying weapons to Israel. At a meeting of the "Madrid Group", which included Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Morocco and Brazil, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Álvarez called for the immediate termination of the European cooperation agreement with Israel and for the imposition of an embargo on arms supplies. "The last thing the Middle East needs right now is weapons," he said.
But only a small number of the countries present at this meeting actually supply Israel with weapons. Almost all arms supplies to Israel come from three countries: the United States, Germany and Italy.
The United States supplies the most weapons to Israel
The United States is the largest arms supplier to Israel. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the United States will account for about two-thirds of Israel's arms imports between 2020 and 2024. This includes aircraft, armored vehicles and guided bombs. And according to data from the US-based Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), Israel is also the largest recipient of US military support in history - $228 billion. dollars in the period 1946 - 2024.
Today, the majority of US foreign aid to Israel is military spending. This also includes the $3.8 billion in military aid that the US will provide to Israel through 2028, and under the existing agreement, most of this aid must be spent on the purchase of American military equipment and services, the CFR added.
The US is unlikely to change its support for Israel. Independent Senator Bernie Sanders' attempts to stop billions of dollars in military sales to Israel were rejected by the US Senate twice - in November 2024 and in April 2025.
Germany will continue to provide weapons to Israel
Germany's military support for Israel has a long tradition and is rooted in Germany's commitment to the security of the Jewish state. German-built submarines have been in service with the Israeli navy for many years and, according to unconfirmed media reports, could be equipped with nuclear weapons. A few years ago, ultra-modern German corvettes were delivered to Israel, which are also used off the coast of the Gaza Strip. Another example of German arms exports are Israeli battle tanks, which are equipped with German gearboxes and gun barrels.
From 2020 to 2024, Germany provided about a third of Israel's incoming arms supplies. This also includes torpedoes.
Can we expect the German government to limit arms supplies to Israel in the future, ARD asks in connection with the proposed embargo by Spain. Will Germany join in possible sanctions at the European level, or at least – at least not block them?
For now, the government in Berlin is clearly trying to avoid such steps and is increasing the pressure with harsher statements, hoping to influence the Israeli leadership, the public media reports. Representatives of the German government have repeatedly said that more humanitarian supplies should reach the Gaza Strip. Chancellor Merz is likely to discuss this issue with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone later this week, ARD adds.
Arms from Italy for Israel
Italy accounts for about 1% of arms imports to Israel. The Italian government has criticized Israel's actions in Gaza, but reports last year indicated that exports to Israel would continue after the start of the Israeli offensive in October 2023.
An analysis of government accounts by the Italian publication Altreconomia found that Italy supplied Israel with weapons worth 5.2 million euros last year. This despite the Italian government's assurances that the supplies had been suspended.
Which countries have suspended sales to Israel
Some European countries have stopped arms supplies or stopped issuing export licenses. These include France, Spain and the UK, although their contribution is less than 0.1% of Israel's total imports. However, a study of UK trade data, cited by the "Guardian" newspaper, found that the country has sent thousands of military items to Israel - despite the export ban.