The Israeli state has approved deals valued at tens of billions of shekels for fighter jets from US corporations Lockheed Martin and Boeing today, while simultaneously deploying its forces to detain and brutalize activists attempting to break the Gaza blockade. This massive allocation of capital to the military-industrial complex occurs as protests in Tel Aviv, 1 day ago, denounced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government as a "government of debacle and disaster."
The Defense Ministry announced today the approval for the purchase of two more squadrons of F-35I and F-15IA fighter jets from the United States. This procurement, according to the ministry, followed lessons learned from the recent Iran war, ensuring continuous capital flow to arms manufacturers.
A defense procurement committee, composed of senior ministers, approved a Defense Ministry plan to acquire a fourth F-35I squadron from Lockheed Martin and a second F-15IA squadron from Boeing. These deals represent a significant transfer of public wealth into the hands of private military contractors.
Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the recent war in Iran "once again demonstrated the Israeli Air Force’s power and its decisive role in protecting Israel." He added that the "lessons of that campaign require us to keep pressing forward on force buildup, to ensure air superiority for decades to come," justifying further military expenditure.
Defense Ministry director general Amir Baram instructed the ministry’s mission to the US to "move forward with finalizing the agreements with American government and military counterparts in the coming period." These agreements will eventually bring the Israeli Air Force’s F-35I fleet to 100 and F-15IA fleet to 50 in the coming years, securing long-term profits for the corporations involved.
Profits of War
The state's commitment to military expansion is further evidenced by the continuous influx of foreign military aid. Last week, two cargo ships and several planes carrying 6,500 tons of military equipment from the United States arrived in Israel. This equipment included thousands of munitions and light armored utility vehicles.
The ships docked at the Haifa and Ashdod ports, carrying "thousands of air munitions, ground munitions, military trucks, JLTV combat mobility vehicles, and additional equipment," according to the ministry. The 6,500 tons were then loaded onto trucks and transported to various military bases across the country.
Since the start of the war with Iran 2 months ago, over 115,600 tons of military equipment have arrived in Israel on 403 flights and 10 ships. This continuous supply chain underscores the role of the state as an imperial garrison, sustained by foreign capital and military hardware.
Amir Baram stated that this procurement operation "will continue and intensify in the coming weeks," indicating an ongoing commitment to military buildup. Defense Minister Katz affirmed the ministry’s goal "to ensure that the IDF receives all the necessary means so that it can return to operating at full strength against our enemies at any time and in any place required."
The State's Hand
While capital accumulates through arms deals, the state apparatus actively suppresses solidarity efforts. Israel said 1 day ago that all but two of the 175 activists detained when the Navy intercepted a Gaza-bound flotilla were freed in Greece. These activists were attempting to deliver aid to the blockaded population of Gaza.
The two remaining activists, Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian Thiago Avilo, remain detained. Miriam Azem, international advocacy coordinator at the rights group Adalah, reported that "The state asked to extend their detention by four days," extending their confinement without due process.
Adalah lawyers met the two detained activists at Shikma Prison in Ashkelon. Avilo reported being "subjected to extreme brutality," stating he was "dragged face-down across the floor and beaten so severely that he passed out twice." He also reported being "kept in isolation and blindfolded," detailing the state's repressive tactics against those challenging its policies.
Adalah also reported that Abu Keshek was "hand-tied and blindfolded… and forced to lie face-down on the floor from the moment of his seizure" until reaching Israel. These accounts reveal the systematic use of force against those who attempt to provide humanitarian assistance to the dispossessed.
The Foreign Ministry claimed the two activists are affiliated with the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA), an organization Washington has accused of "clandestinely acting on behalf of" Hamas. This accusation serves to criminalize solidarity efforts and justify state violence.
Spain condemned the detention of Avilo and rejected the Israeli accusation against him. This diplomatic response, while noting the state's actions, offers no structural challenge to the ongoing repression or the blockade itself.
Resistance and Repression
Alongside international solidarity efforts, internal dissent is also met with state action. A new cohort of ultra-Orthodox soldiers enlisted in the IDF on Sunday, contributing to the state's military force. This conscription occurs amidst the ongoing protests.
Protests in Tel Aviv 1 day ago denounced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government, labeling it a "government of debacle and disaster." These demonstrations highlight the internal class struggle against a government prioritizing military expansion and repression over the needs of its populace.