The European Union (EU) invested over $115 million in Israeli-made unmanned drones to police the Mediterranean Sea.
The Observer discovered three contracts with Frontex, the EU’s border and coastguard agency, and the European Maritime Safety Agency, totaling at $115 million with Israeli arms companies Elbit Systems, and state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries.
Frontex investing in drones made by Israel to protect fortress Europe; drones which for years have terrorised Palestinians in Gaza: https://t.co/Mzz7w5Awgt
— Laleh Khalili (@LalehKhalili) August 7, 2019
The money is being spent to purchase drones from the Israeli companies to be used to provide intelligence to Frontex. The drones in question; models Hermes and Heron have been used in combat missions in Gaza.
Frontex has previously been accused by Sea-Watch, an organization that rescues refugees, of using surveillance drones to supply information to the Libyan coastguard.
How #Israel's "border security" technology, combat-tested on #Palestinians, is being adopted by Europe & the US.
Also related: ADL trips for US police to #Israel
'Combat Proven': Israel's thriving war business in Europe https://t.co/JBTXE6ZGA4@RomanaRubeo @RamzyBaroud pic.twitter.com/W5tYq57MyA
— Mass. Peace Action #NoWarWithIran (@masspeaceaction) December 21, 2018
Sea-Watch captain Tamino Böhm said:
“They never leave port unless there is a boat to head to for a pullback. This means the information they have comes from the surveillance flights of Italy, Frontex, and the EU.”
Frontex has previously posting drone footage on Twitter.
It claims it still uses rescue boats, despite the fact that EU maritime vessels have not carried out a single rescue since last year.
#Mediterranean #Crisis Watch
"#US–#Greece–#Israel ongoing presence through exercises and #Exxon Ships in the eastern Mediterranean are alarming higher tension in the area."#DynamicManta #NATO #SeaGuardian #migrants #Libya #Italy #themis #frontex #Turkey #Cyprus pic.twitter.com/PbWfNqnmk6
— Beyond the Horizon (@BehorizonOrg) March 27, 2018
The Guardian reported:
“This spending has come as the EU pulls back its naval missions in the Mediterranean and harasses almost all search-and-rescue charity boats out of the water.”
The death-rate of refugees at sea has increased from a two percent average to 14 percent this month, with over 500 deaths recorded.
In March, “Operation Sophia” – a scheme to combat people smuggling – saw the EU scaling back maritime operations.
EU using Israel drones to track migrant boats in the Med https://t.co/gvi3nldzGy pic.twitter.com/jXw8J2Fz8C
— Google Trends Online (@GoogleTrendsOn1) August 19, 2019
The EU has previously been accused of crimes against humanity as it further relies on the Libyan coastguard to drag refugees to EU-funded Libyan detention camps where many have been abused.
This comes as the Italian government imposed a law which would see migrant rescuers slapped with a $1.12 million fine and a prison sentence.
(Middle East Monitor, PC, Social Media)
