Briefing Paper for Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) Delegations Regarding Arms Transfers to Israel

Ahead of the first meeting of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)'s Sub-working Group on current and emerging implementation issues, Reaching Critical Will prepared a briefing paper for delegations with information about their legal obligations under the ATT in relation to arms transfers to Israel.

The ATT sits within the existing framework of international law and should be guided by the interpretation and application of the law as it pertains to acts referenced in the Treaty, namely: genocide, violations of international humanitarian law (IHL), international human rights law (IHRL), and the gendered impact of the use of weapons. Findings by courts, tribunals, special procedures of the UN, and treaty bodies must inform the interpretation of relevant sections of the ATT.

In the context of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s ruling that Israel is plausibly committing genocide of Palestinians and the interim measures the Court imposed on Israel to prevent this genocide, ATT states parties must cease arms transfers to Israel and call on other states parties to end these transfers. The briefing paper outlines core ATT obligations and provides evidence for relevant violations that ATT states parties must consider.

Written by Ray Acheson and Laura Varella • Published February 2024 by Reaching Critical Will, a programme of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom

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