ISTANBUL
A motion condemning arms transfers to the Israeli military by Council of Europe member states has been submitted to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), French lawmaker Gabrielle Cathala announced Friday.
Cathala, a member of the far-left La France Insoumise (LFI) party, said the resolution was tabled in coordination with members of the Unified European Left Group (GUE/NGL) in response to ongoing weapons deliveries from France, Germany, and the UK to Israel.
“We strongly condemn the member states of the Council of Europe that continue to supply weapons to Israel, while the relentless bombings in Gaza have led to genocide and the destruction of vital infrastructure,” she wrote on X.
According to Cathala, the motion aims to denounce the continued arms deliveries to what she described as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s "genocidal army."
"These arms transfers are in flagrant contradiction with the values of the Council of Europe and its commitments in the fields of human rights, the principles of peace, and international humanitarian law," she added.
"Delivering weapons in this context amounts to complicity, endorses violations of international law, and requires accountability," she said.
The motion also criticizes the role of the three European powers in what Cathala called the "atrocities committed in Gaza," noting that F-35 fighter jet parts are routed through Paris, German arms exports have surged, and the UK continues to approve new export licenses.
"France, Germany, and the United Kingdom are fueling the atrocities committed in Gaza. F-35 parts pass through Paris, German arms exports have exploded, and British export licenses continue to multiply," she stated.
Cathala also cited export figures since 2023, saying: "Since 2023, these three countries have collectively approved over €546 million in arms exports to Israel, including fighter jet components, bombs, and intelligence equipment used in the massacre of civilians."
She called on all Council of Europe member states to immediately halt weapons transfers to Israel: "We therefore call on all member states of the Council of Europe to immediately cease arms exports to Israel. The continuation of these supplies is in contradiction with the spirit of the European Convention on Human Rights."
"We salute the workers in many countries who have courageously blocked arms deliveries in ports and airports, refusing to allow the massacre of Gazans. In the face of political inaction, these acts of solidarity constitute a moral call to action," she said.