Israel Leverages Arms Deals for International Support

A recent arms deal involving the presidential guard of the Congo has shed light on Israel's international relations strategy, which includes using military and cyber sales to garner global support. While public pronouncements often highlight ideological alignment, agricultural, technological, and scientific cooperation, the reality behind the scenes involves the sale of weapons and ammunition.

Since its inception, Israel's defense industry, now including cyber capabilities, has served as a currency for securing international backing. These transactions are typically conducted discreetly, sometimes through foreign-registered private companies or entities with no official ties to the arms trade, to avoid diplomatic complications. However, when these arrangements falter or conflicts arise, they can become public.

An example cited is the September 2023 visit of Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi to Jerusalem. During this visit, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the establishment of an embassy in Kinshasa, while Tshisekedi declared the relocation of his country's embassy to Jerusalem. The article suggests Tshisekedi's actions were not driven by Zionist sentiment but by national interests.

Between June and November 2023, nine shipments of machine guns, rifles, pistols, and ammunition were sent from the Emtan factory in Karmiel to the Congolese presidential palace, coinciding with Tshisekedi's visit. The author posits that these arms sales likely served as a significant incentive for Tshisekedi's pro-Israel stance.

The article concludes by urging a deeper examination of the motivations behind unqualified support for Israel from less prominent nations, suggesting that the reciprocal benefits may not always be palatable, particularly for citizens concerned about their nation's arms fueling internal conflicts elsewhere.