India urged to stop military exports to Israel: petition to Supreme Court

Petition argues that continuing military exports to Israel could contribute to human rights violations.

A coalition of India's former bureaucrats and academics formally requested the country's  Supreme Court to impose a suspension on military exports to Israel.

This appeal is driven by concerns over Israel's ongoing military actions in the region.

The petitioners, comprising a diverse group of former government officials and scholars, have called for a review of India’s defense trade policies, citing ethical and humanitarian concerns associated with the use of Indian military equipment in Israel's operations.

They argue that continuing military exports to Israel could implicate India in the conflict and potentially contribute to human rights violations.

The plea highlights recent escalations in violence involving Israel and calls for a reassessment of India’s role in supporting the conflict through arms exports.

The petitioners believe that suspending these exports would align with international humanitarian standards and reflect India’s commitment to peace and human rights.

The Supreme Court’s response to the petition is awaited, and it remains to be seen whether the court will take action or provide guidance on India’s defense trade practices in relation to Israel.

Israel has continued its brutal offensive on Gaza following a Hamas attack last October 7, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

The onslaught has resulted in nearly 40,500 Palestinian deaths, mostly women and children, and over 93,500 injuries, according to local health authorities.

An ongoing blockade of Gaza has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine, leaving much of the region in ruins.

Israel faces accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered a halt to military operations in the southern city of Rafah, where over one million Palestinians had sought refuge before the area was invaded on May 6.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) on Wednesday said that it lost 212 of its staff members since the start of the Israeli onslaught on Gaza last October.