NGOs Sue Denmark to End Arms Export to Israel

 Israeli soldiers walk near the border with Gaza Strip in southern Israel on March 12, 2024, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (AFP)
Israeli soldiers walk near the border with Gaza Strip in southern Israel on March 12, 2024, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (AFP)
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NGOs Sue Denmark to End Arms Export to Israel

 Israeli soldiers walk near the border with Gaza Strip in southern Israel on March 12, 2024, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (AFP)
Israeli soldiers walk near the border with Gaza Strip in southern Israel on March 12, 2024, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (AFP)

A group of NGOs on Tuesday said they will sue the Danish state to end the Nordic country's arms exports to Israel, citing concerns that its weapons were being used to commit serious crimes against civilians during the war in Gaza.

A Dutch court in February ordered the Netherlands to block all exports of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel over concerns they were being used to violate international law in Gaza.

Amnesty International Denmark, Oxfam Denmark, ActionAid Denmark and Palestinian human rights organization Al-Haq in a joint statement said they will sue the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Police, which approves Danish sales of weapons and military equipment. They said they would file the lawsuit to a yet unspecified court within the next three weeks.

The Danish foreign ministry and the National Police did not have an immediate comment.

"For five months we have been talking about a potential genocide in Gaza, but we have not seen politicians take action," Tim Whyte, Secretary General of ActionAid Denmark, said in a statement.

Israel denies committing war crimes in its offensive in Gaza, launched in response to an Oct. 7 attack by Hamas fighters in which 1,200 Israelis were killed. Gaza authorities say over 31,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war.

Responding to international outcry over the heavy humanitarian toll of its campaign, Israel has said it was doing all it could to minimize civilian casualties, blaming Hamas for fighting in densely populated areas.

The World Court in January ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians and do more to help civilians, although it stopped short of ordering a ceasefire as requested by South Africa.

Denmark is a signatory of the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty, making all its arms transfers subject to rigorous risk and human rights assessments.



Canada's PM Carney in Europe to Work with 'Reliable Allies'

French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney shake hands after a joint statement, at Elysee Palace, during Carney's first foreign visit as prime minister, in Paris, France March 17, 2025. Thomas Padilla/Pool via REUTERS
French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney shake hands after a joint statement, at Elysee Palace, during Carney's first foreign visit as prime minister, in Paris, France March 17, 2025. Thomas Padilla/Pool via REUTERS
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Canada's PM Carney in Europe to Work with 'Reliable Allies'

French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney shake hands after a joint statement, at Elysee Palace, during Carney's first foreign visit as prime minister, in Paris, France March 17, 2025. Thomas Padilla/Pool via REUTERS
French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney shake hands after a joint statement, at Elysee Palace, during Carney's first foreign visit as prime minister, in Paris, France March 17, 2025. Thomas Padilla/Pool via REUTERS

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney said that it was important for Canada to strengthen ties with "reliable allies" in Europe, as he met French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday for his first overseas visit amid tensions with the United States.

Carney's decision to visit Paris instead of Washington, as is usual for Canadian leaders, comes after US President Donald Trump escalated trade tensions with both Canada and Europe, and floated threats of annexing Canada.

"(It) is more important than ever for Canada to strengthen its ties with reliable allies like France," Carney said, ahead of a working lunch with Macron at the Elysee Palace, noting that Canada was "the most European of non-European countries."

Carney visits London later on Monday, Reuters reported.

In a veiled reference to Trump, Macron said Canada was a good example of a country that defends its national interests while being collaborative on the global scene.

"I think we both believe that fair trade that respects international rules is good for everyone's prosperity, and is certainly more effective than tariffs," Macron said.

As the two men were leaving, a Canadian reporter in the room asked whether they wanted to tell Trump to "back off", but neither Carney nor Macron took questions from media.

Trump has shocked Western allies by imposing tariffs on their imports, questioning traditional alliances, and even floating threats of annexation for Canada or the Danish territory of Greenland since he came to office in January.

It is unclear how long Trump's tariffs will last, or what is driving his aspirations for Canada to become the 51st US state.