Israel’s Prohibition of Arms Sales to Burma (Myanmar) and Enforcement Challenges
Israel has taken clear legal and policy measures to prevent the sale of arms to Burma (Myanmar), aligning its defense export policies with international human rights standards. However, challenges remain in enforcing compliance among private defense contractors operating in global markets. Below is a timeline detailing the historical context, official actions taken by the Israeli government, and ongoing concerns regarding potential violations by private firms.
Early Relations and Arms Agreements
1953: Israel and Myanmar established diplomatic relations, with Myanmar being one of the first Asian nations to recognize Israel.
2015: Myanmar’s military commander-in-chief, Min Aung Hlaing, visited Israel, strengthening military ties and leading to discussions on arms sales.
Legal Prohibition of Arms Sales to Myanmar
2017: Amid growing international concern over human rights violations against the ethnic population, reports emerged that Israeli defense companies had previously supplied weapons to Myanmar’s military.
September 2017: Israel’s High Court of Justice issued a ruling mandating the cessation of all arms exports to Myanmar. It effectively prohibited any future arms sales. (Haaretz)
Challenges in Compliance and Reports of Private Company Involvement
Despite this official prohibition, reports suggest that some private Israeli companies may have continued indirect shipments under different categorizations, raising concerns about oversight:
2018: Reports indicated that private companies in Israeli may have sent shipments labeled as “aircraft parts” to Myanmar’s military. However, no new Israeli government licenses were issued for such transactions.
February 2021: Myanmar’s military staged a coup, overthrowing the civilian government, intensifying global scrutiny on arms trade enforcement.
March 2022: Investigative reports suggested that at least four shipments of military-related equipment were sent to Myanmar despite the Israeli government’s official prohibition. However, the Israeli government reaffirmed that no new arms licenses had been granted since 2017. (Middle East Monitor)
June 2023: Further concerns emerged over potential indirect supply of arms-related equipment from Israeli firm CAA Industries Ltd, though this was not state-authorized. (Justice for Myanmar)
September 2023: Reports alleged that private Israeli defense firms, including Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), may have engaged in indirect transactions with Myanmar’s military junta through intermediaries. (Haaretz)
Current Status (as of 2025)
Israel’s government has prohibited arms sales to Myanmar since 2017, and no new export licenses have been granted for military sales. However, some private defense firms in Israel have been accused of attempting to bypass these restrictions through third-party intermediaries. The Israeli government continues to reinforce its prohibition and explore ways to strengthen oversight mechanisms to prevent unauthorized sales.
This timeline reflects Israel’s clear legal stance against arms sales to Myanmar, while also acknowledging the complexities of enforcing compliance among globally operating private defense contractors. The Israeli government remains committed to ensuring that its policies align with international human rights standards while addressing any gaps in enforcement.
References
Haaretz. (2017). "Israel's Top Court Just Ruled About Arms Sales to Myanmar, But We’re Not Allowed to Say More."
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2017-09-27/ty-article/israels-top-court-just-ruled-about-arms-sales-to-myanmar-but-were-not-allowed-to-say-more/0000017f-e10f-d7b2-a77f-e30fdbb20000Middle East Monitor. (2023). "Israel Sold Arms to Myanmar After 2021 Military Coup Despite Govt Ban."
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230906-israel-sold-arms-to-myanmar-after-2021-military-coup-despite-govt-ban/Justice for Myanmar. (2023). "Israel’s CAA Industries Ltd Suspected to Have Aided and Abetted the Myanmar Military’s War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity."
https://www.justiceformyanmar.org/stories/israels-caa-industries-ltd-suspected-to-have-aided-and-abetted-the-myanmar-militarys-war-crimes-and-crimes-against-humanityHaaretz. (2023). "Israel Sold Arms to Myanmar Even After the 2021 Military Coup."
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2023-09-05/ty-article/.premium/israel-sold-arms-to-myanmar-even-after-the-2021-military-coup/0000018a-6000-d339-a3af-f5b673e90000
