Israel's arms sales hit record $15 bn as demand surges despite Gaza war criticism

Israeli defense firms are witnessing a sharp rise in orders for battle‑tested weapons, even as the country faces global criticism over its conduct in Gaza. Massivit, a company previously known for large‑scale set pieces for Disney and Netflix, switched its 3D‑printing capacity to produce drone components after being approached by the Israeli defense ministry; CEO Yossi Azarzar said he "stopped thinking about Hollywood sets" and saw defence as a necessity.

According to Israel’s Defence Ministry, weapons sales have more than doubled over the past five years, reaching a record nearly $15 billion in 2024. Leading manufacturers such as Elbit and Israel Aerospace Industries reported double‑digit growth, and Israel has overtaken the United Kingdom to become the world’s seventh‑largest arms exporter, with missiles, rockets and air‑defence systems accounting for over half of sales.

The surge occurs amid protests and diplomatic push‑back: Spain canceled an anti‑tank missile deal and Slovenia announced a ban on imports, exports and transit of Israeli weapons. Defence Minister Israel Katz hailed the growth as evidence of Israel’s strength, while human‑rights groups accuse the industry of profiting from a conflict that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.