Indian military export to Israel — aiding genocide

A Bench of the Supreme Court of India, headed by the Chief Justice of India, recently dismissed a petition filed by former civil servants, academics, and activists. ICJ opinion The challenge was in view of the International Court of Justice, in January, ordering provisional measures against Israel, for violations in the Gaza strip, of obligations under the Genocide Convention. Earlier, in an adjudication before it regarding military support by Germany to Israel, the ICJ had significantly stated that “the Court considers it particularly important to remind all States of their international obligations relating to the transfer of arms to parties to an armed conflict, in order to avoid the risk that such arms might be used to violate the above-mentioned Conventions”. Following this there have been challenges to the export of arms to Israel in various global jurisdictions, with the Hague Court of Appeal ordering the Dutch government to halt the export of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel given the risk that “components to be exported to Israel will be used to commit serious violations of international law”. The fallout In the midst of an unimaginable humanitarian crisis in Palestine and the international outcry against Israel’s continuing genocide, the Supreme Court’s failure to ensure that the Indian government halts its military aid to Israel and complies with its commitments under international law, will have serious repercussions in this war and its devastation that continues unabated.