Gaza Herald _Public institutions across the European Union have continued to award billions of euros in contracts to Israeli companies despite Israel’s ongoing genocidal campaign in Gaza and mounting international legal scrutiny over its conduct. Procurement records compiled by Statewatch and publicly reported by Al Jazeera reveal that European governments, universities, hospitals, police agencies, and other public bodies have maintained extensive commercial ties with Israeli firms throughout the war.
Billions in Public Contracts
Between January 2022 and July 2025, public institutions across EU member states signed 194 contracts with Israeli companies worth nearly €2.7 billion ($3.1 billion). The actual figure is believed to be considerably higher, as many contracts published through the EU procurement system either omit their financial value or list symbolic amounts such as €1 or even €0.01.
The pace of contracting accelerated after Israel launched its military offensive in Gaza.
During the first 21 months covered by the data—from January 2022 until October 2023—European institutions signed 82 contracts worth more than €1.2 billion ($1.36 billion).
In the following 21 months, from October 2023 through July 2025, that number climbed to 112 contracts totaling approximately €1.6 billion ($1.8 billion), meaning most of the agreements were concluded after the Gaza war had already begun.
Spain Among the Buyers
Spain, despite repeatedly criticizing Israel’s military operations in Gaza, remained among the countries signing significant contracts with Israeli firms.
Spanish public institutions concluded 14 contracts worth nearly €227 million ($257 million) during the reporting period. The largest agreement, valued at €207 million ($235 million), was signed in April 2024 between Spain’s Ministry of Defense and Israeli defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems for aerial combat equipment.
Spanish police agencies also purchased protective equipment, including bulletproof vests, from Israeli manufacturer Marom Dolphin.
Procurement Continues Despite ICJ Proceedings
The continued commercial relationship comes as Israel faces proceedings before the International Court of Justice concerning alleged violations of the Genocide Convention in Gaza.
In 2024, the Court warned of a “real and imminent risk” of irreparable harm to Palestinians and stated that countries must refrain from assisting or supporting Israel’s unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Legal scholar Yussef Al Tamimi of Central European University described the European Union’s approach as legally difficult to reconcile with the Court’s findings, noting that the ICJ established clear obligations requiring states to avoid contributing to the continuation of the occupation.
Defense and High-Tech Companies Lead the Market
Most of the contracts involved advanced technology, military systems, cybersecurity products, semiconductors, and other highly specialized equipment.
Among the leading Israeli beneficiaries were:
• Elbit Systems
• Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
• Troya Tech Defence Ltd.
Hungary signed the largest number of agreements, concluding 42 contracts valued at almost €603 million ($684 million).
Other major purchasers included:
• Denmark — 10 contracts worth €236.4 million
• Spain — 14 contracts worth €226.9 million
• Poland — 10 contracts worth €181.7 million
• Czech Republic — 2 contracts worth €169.3 million
• Sweden — 2 contracts worth €105 million
The findings show that even governments that have publicly expressed support for Palestinian rights continued purchasing goods and services from Israeli companies throughout the conflict.
Germany’s Extensive Procurement
Germany also maintained extensive procurement relationships with Israeli firms.
German public institutions signed 37 contracts covering military equipment, cybersecurity software, laboratory technology, and medical products.
Many procurement notices did not disclose the contracts’ full financial value, while others listed only symbolic amounts, making it impossible to determine the actual scale of spending.
German officials said Israeli companies remain eligible to participate in public tenders under European procurement rules. The government also stated that export licenses for military equipment are reviewed individually and that decisions consider international humanitarian law.
Universities, Hospitals, and Public Agencies
The procurement extended well beyond defense ministries.
Examples include:
• Madrid Polytechnic University signing contracts worth nearly €300,000 for quantum computing equipment.
• University Hospital Leuven in Belgium purchasing genome sequencing software worth €1.2 million from an Israeli company.
• Belgian energy provider ORES awarding a contract exceeding €3.7 million for information technology services.
• Italy’s Interior Ministry purchasing approximately €4 million worth of bulletproof vests from an Israeli supplier.
At the time the findings were published, several European ministries had not publicly responded to requests for comment regarding the contracts.
Europe Remains Israel’s Largest Trading Partner
The broader economic relationship between Europe and Israel remains substantial.
Trade in goods between the European Union and Israel reached €42.6 billion ($45.3 billion) during 2024.
Under the EU-Israel Association Agreement, Israel continues to benefit from preferential access to European markets as well as participation in major research initiatives.
Between 2021 and 2024, Israeli universities, research institutions, and companies received an estimated €1.11 billion ($1.26 billion) through the Horizon Europe research program for projects involving artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, drone technologies, and other dual-use innovations.
An additional €40 million ($45 million) was provided through the Erasmus+ academic exchange program between 2015 and 2020.
Analysts note that suspending parts of the EU-Israel Association Agreement could affect approximately €5.8 billion ($6.6 billion) in Israeli exports.
Growing Questions Over European Policy
The findings have intensified scrutiny of the gap between Europe’s public criticism of Israel’s military campaign and its continued commercial engagement with Israeli defense and technology companies.
While many European leaders have voiced concern over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, procurement records indicate that public institutions across the bloc have continued awarding contracts to companies that remain closely integrated into Israel’s military and security sectors.
The contrast has fueled growing criticism from legal experts and human rights advocates, who argue that European governments face increasing pressure to ensure that their procurement policies and broader economic relations are consistent with their obligations under international law.
