Six Dutch parties condemn local arms company’s deal with Israeli gunmaker
Six Dutch parties condemn local arms company’s deal with Israeli gunmaker Submitted by Elis Gjevori on Thu, 11/12/2026 - 12:08 The dispute comes after Dutch MPs called for an end to dependence on Israel’s arms industry A visitor holds a weapon from Israel Weapon Industries at the Eurosatory international defence trade fair, in Villepinte, Paris, on 13 June 2022 (Emmanuel Dunand/AFP) Off Six…
Six Dutch political parties have taken a stance against a local arms company's partnership with Israeli gunmaker Israel Weapon Industries (IWI). The parties, including D66, PRO, Denk, the Party for the Animals, the Socialist Party and VoorTilburg013, have questioned Tilburg's municipal authorities about preventing weapons produced under this agreement from reaching Israel's military and halting local production.
Tilburg-based AIA, the Dutch company involved, plans to manufacture rifles and light machine guns at their industrial park in Tilburg and later in Overijssel. The deals involve the Arad 5 infantry rifle and Negev UX light machine gun. AIA intends to supply European countries and NATO partners, while it remains unclear if they can sell the weapons to Israel.
The parties criticized this arrangement, arguing that it contributes to Israel's conflict in Gaza and the West Bank, and called on the municipality to act against the deal. The motion for a reduction in reliance on Israeli arms passed by Dutch MPs in January highlighted €2 billion in recent years spent on military equipment from Israeli firms.
Written by urgent.news from Middle East Eye's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
