Israel supports Myanmar’s ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims

World

Published: 2017-09-07 13:04

Last Updated: 2024-04-28 22:00


The Rohingya, according to several UN agencies, are the most persecuted people in the world. (Photo Credit: Reuters)
The Rohingya, according to several UN agencies, are the most persecuted people in the world. (Photo Credit: Reuters)

In a report issued by Middle East Monitor, several human rights groups and Burmese officials state that Israel is selling weapons to Myanmar, including 100 tanks, weapons and boats used by police along the country's borders. 

TAR Ideal Concepts, along with other Israeli arms companies, have also been involved in training Burmese special forces. Myanmar armed forces are currently in the Rakhine state, and along its border with Bangladesh conducting what some UN agencies state is 'ethnic cleansing' of the indigenous Rohingya population. 

Images previously posted on TAR Ideal Concept's company's website showed its staff instructing members of the Burmese special forces on combat tactics and how to use specific weapons.

Later this month, the Israeli High Court of Justice is expect to hear a petition drafted by activists, calling for the government to cease arms exports to Myanmar. 

Both the United States and United Kingdom governments have an arms embargo against the state. 

Eitay Mack, an Israeli lawyer presenting the petition based in Tel Aviv, told Middle East Eye that “Israel has no control of what's happening with its weapons once it sends its weapons to Burma".

“But from TAR Ideal’s website, we know that they are arming and training Burmese special forces who are operating in the Rakhine state right now," he added. 

The petition has been submitted last January, as a result of visits from Israeli officials discussing arms deals. Israeli government officials state that the process was "clearly diplomatic," attempting to absolve itself of responsibility for contributing to what some would call a genocide. 

Israel and Myanmar have had a historically strong relationship, even during the oppressive junta regime. Myanmar was one of the first countries to recognize Israel after declaring its statehood. 

Ofer Neiman, an Israeli human rights activist, believes that Israel's relationship with Myanmar is linked to its ongoing occupation of Palestinian territory in the West Bank.

"Weapons used against the Palestinians are being sold as 'field-tested' to some of the worst regimes on the planet," Neiman added.

Penny Green, an academic documenting alleged war crimes in Myanmar is unsurprised of Israeli involved in ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya: "[Israel's] own record of violence and terror against the Palestinian people of Gaza is clear enough evidence that the Israeli government is unmoved by ethical concerns and human rights."

She also criticized the British government, adding: "Last year the British government spent over £300,000 of taxpayers' money in training the Myanmar military and commander in chief General Min Aung Hlaing was welcomed by EU heads of military eager to engage in arms sales and training."

Neither the Israeli defence ministry nor the Israeli embassy in the UK have replied to MME's request for comment.