The association JURDI – Lawyers for the Respect of International Law – has urgently filed a case with the Administrative Court of Montreuil seeking the suspension of a military shipment manufactured by the company Swebor Stål Svenska AB coming from Sweden and in transit at Roissy-CDG airport, cargo destined for the company Elbit Systems in Israel.
The company Elbit Systems, Israel, the primary arms supplier to the Israeli army, plays a central role in the ongoing war effort, including in the Gaza Strip. Its equipment and systems have been directly implicated in documented attacks against civilians and aid workers. Allowing the uncontrolled transit of armored vehicles destined for’Elbit Systems This would amount to facilitating, from French territory, the perpetration of international crimes already denounced by the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.
JURDI solemnly alerts the authorities to this form of aid and assistance and this potential complicity, which are incompatible with France's values and international commitments.
This cargo, scheduled for shipment on July 8, 2025, presents a serious risk of contributing to international crimes in a context of massive violations of international humanitarian law in the Gaza Strip and the unlawful occupation of this territory and the West Bank by Israel.
JURDI points out that Article 9 of the Arms Trade Treaty requires France to regulate the transit of conventional weapons through its territory, in accordance with applicable international law. However, the Defense Code subjects these transits to prior authorization, which should have led the authorities to monitor and verify the compliance of this transit with France's international commitments.
Despite a prior formal notice to the Directorate General of Customs (DGDDI), the administration took no action to verify or control this transfer of dual-use goods, even though the International Court of Justice has repeatedly confirmed the existence of a plausible risk of ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip.
The delivery of such military equipment through French territory, without enhanced controls, would expose France to a clear violation of its obligations to prevent and not assist acts of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
JURDI reiterates that the Arms Trade Treaty, ratified by France and in force since 2014, and the 1948 Genocide Convention require France to exercise increased vigilance and due diligence. By tolerating this transit without intervention, the State would be violating the fundamental right to life and dignity of the civilian population of Gaza, already subjected to widespread and systematic attacks.
Through this application for interim relief, JURDI intends to guarantee respect for France's international commitments and prevent any complicity, even indirect, in the commission of mass atrocities.
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