French airport workers have prevented a shipment of military components destined for Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems from leaving Paris, prompting three French associations to launch legal action to stop its export.
The shipment, reportedly containing planetary gearboxes intended for military vehicles, was produced by French company Mijno Precision Gearing SAS and destined for Elbit Systems Land, the Israeli company's land systems division.
The cargo was initially scheduled to leave Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle Airport on an Air France flight on 8 October. However, following alerts from civil society groups and mobilisation by airport trade unions, the components were not loaded onto the plane.
The shipment was subsequently scheduled to depart on an El Al flight on 10 October, prompting further efforts to prevent its transfer to Israel.
On 9 October, three French associations: NIDAL, the human rights organisation ASER, and JURDI (Jurists for Respect for International Law), petitioned the Paris Administrative Court's emergency judge to intervene.
The legal challenge centres on France's obligations under international law, including the Arms Trade Treaty and European rules governing arms exports. The associations argue that the state must ensure that military-related components are not transferred in circumstances that risk serious violations of international humanitarian law.
“It was employees and activists who prevented the first departure,” the associations said, arguing that it is now the responsibility of the state, or, failing that, the courts, to ensure compliance with the law.
With the shipment reportedly rebooked for 10 October, the associations' legal action sought to prevent the cargo from leaving France before the authorities' obligations could be examined.
