The genocide in Gaza has become a solid source of income for the weapons manufacturers. At the headquarters of Elbit Systems in Haifa can attest to this: this company, one of the favorites of the Spanish Ministry of Defense, reached an agreement with the Benjamin Netanyahu’s government for the supply of ammunition for the next ten years.
Bezhalel Machlis, former artillery officer of the Israel Defense Forces and president of Elbit Systems, was personally in charge of closing the contract with the Ministry of Defense of that country for an approximate amount of 340 million dollars.
According to the terms of the contract, its execution will take place over the next decade, which implies a high volume of production. In fact, Elbit Systems announced in August that it planned to establish “a manufacturing plant to produce the ammunition.”
A few days after announcing this agreement with the Netanyahu Government, the company received news from Madrid. On August 12, the Spanish Ministry of Defense awarded a contract to this company for the maintenance of the Cardom mortar for a value of 10,000 euros.
Elbit Systems is among the main Israeli contractors that do business with the ministry it heads Margaret Robles. Only in 2024, the company achieved different public awards for an amount greater than the six million euros.
In a letter sent this week to the Minister of Social Rights, Pablo Bustinduy (Add), Robles assured that “no weapons have been sold or acquired to the State of Israel since October 7”, although acknowledged that contracts exist in force with companies from that country for spare parts for military material of Israeli origin. Elbit Systems is precisely one of them.
Sumar has demanded that the Government suspend any contract of arms sales in progress with Israeli companies. For its part, Podemos has demanded the Breaking diplomatic and commercial relations with Israel and has placed that issue as one of the key elements to determine their support for the General State Budgets.
Missiles in Gaza
According to other documents compiled by PublicElbit Systems sold and manufactured to the Israeli Ministry of Defense the Iron Stinga precision-guided mortar munition that is today used by the troops of that country in the Gaza massacre.
He Iron Sting is a 120 millimeter mortar projectile weighing 17 kilograms “designed to precisely attack and neutralize targets at a distance of up to 10 kilometers“, its manufacturers point out in a statement.
This type of weaponry “is capable of passing through fortifications with up to 20 centimeters of concrete.” “With an easy-to-use fire control system, the Iron Sting speeds up the firing sequence, taking just 15 seconds from data entry to launch,” the company says.
The company highlights that “the events of October 2023 that led to the outbreak of war”, The Israeli army “has equipped its forces with advanced munitions to maintain tactical superiority on the ground and improve the maneuverability of its units in difficult environments.” In that context, the Iron Sting “stands out as a key asset in this arsenal,” says Elbit Systems.
Economic growth
The financial reports confirm the role acquired by this company in the midst of the massacre against civilians in Gaza. The consolidated results for the second quarter of this year, ended June 30, income in that period was 1,626 million dollarswhile in the second quarter of 2023 – before Israel began the attacks – the figure had been around 1,453 million dollars.
According to a company document, land revenue increased 37% “due to increased sales of ammunition in Israel.” “Since the beginning of hostilities, Elbit Systems has experienced a substantial increase in demand for our products and solutions from the Israeli Ministry of Defense compared to pre-war demand levels,” the report states.
The company’s management admits that it also has increased its support for the Israeli ministry “primarily through deliveries of our systems and the dedicated efforts of our employees.” “At the same time, the company continues its activities in the international market,” he notes later. That’s where the agreements reached in Madrid with the ministry led by Margarita Robles.
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