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Leonardo S.p.A. and agreements with Israel: controversies over the company’s role and alleged complicity in the Genocide

From the skies above the Gaza Strip to European factories: war crosses borders and consciences, and now also involves Leonardo S.p.A., the Italian defense giant, called into question for its industrial ties with Israel and the Military forces.

By Yousra Chajia, Contributor

  2 min read

Leonardo S.p.A. and agreements with Israel: controversies over the company’s role and alleged complicity in the Genocide
THE NUMBERS OF THE GENOCIDE

A network of technological agreements and collaboration which has become the center of intense political and ethical debate.
According tò data collected by Amnesty International, israeli military-operations have caused tons of thousends of victims in he Gaza Strip along with un precedente humanitarian devastation, in fact, over 90% of Gaza's population has bene displaced in other areas, around 1.9 million gazans are affected by humanitarian crisis, Amnesty maintains the evidence gathered may amount to acts attributable to Genocide in relation to operations following October 7 2023.
This position is echoed in reports by United Nations, a UN commission of inquiry has spoken of "reasonable grounds" to believe that acts prohibited under the Genocide Convention have been committed, including, KILLING OF CIVILIANS, SERIOUS PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL HARM (such as post-traumatic stress), LIVING CONDITIONS INCOMPATIBLE WITH SURVIVAL.
THE ROLE OF COMPANIES: "economy of Genocide"
The role of business and operations is particulary controversial, the UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese has spoken of a real "Economy of Genocide", in which companies and enterprises contribute (directory and indirectly) to military operations, the focus Is not only on the supply of complete weapons system  but aso ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS, RADAR and SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS and AERONAUTICAL TECHNOLOGIES. 
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In this context, Leonardo S.p.A has bene cited in some analysis as part of the Global Industrial defense and ecosystem connected to Israel.
LEONARDO S.P.A'S POSITIONS
The italian Company rejects the accusations and has repeatedly stated: "We operate in full compliance with italian and european's laws on arms exports", the Company emphasize that every export i subjects mo authorization by the italian Governments and Internationals constraits, excluding  deliberate violations of humanitarian's law.
Indeed, according to some data, Leonardo supplies technologies such as active protection systems for military vehicles, short-range defense radars, and components for combat aircraft, furthermore, it supports the training of Israeli pilots with M-346 aircraft, and also supplies components for F-15 fighter jets, is Leonardo not offering services to Israel how they said? Or the Company simply seeking excuses to sell to Israel and profit from the blood of thousands of innocent civilians?
PROTESTS, LEGAL ACTION and POLITICAL PRESSURE
These reassurences have not stopped the controversy, in Italy, trade unions and workers have organized internal assemblies, while peace organizations are demanding transparency in contracts and the lega actions has been initiated against both the Government and the Company. The case of Leonardo S.p.A is not isolated, It highlights a crucial issues for the entier defense seector namely, RESTRICTIONS on MILITARY EXPORT, POSSIBLE EMBARGOES, GREATER OVERSIGHT of INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY  CHAINS.
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These Lines between legality and ethics are correlated in somehow with the globilized world of defense, where technologies and components cross borders and alliances, the Leonardo's case highlights evident divide between formale legality and moral human responsabilities.

As the alleged Genocide in Gaza Strip continues and International reports multiply, the debate is bound to intensify companies likes Leonardo S.p.A, the challenge will not only be Industrial and geopolitical but increasingly reputational and ethical in relation to International Human Rights.

One questione looms, who is truly outside in this Genocide? 


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Yousra Chajia

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Yousra Chajia

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