Elbit Systems is Israel's largest defence company. It made promotion videos showing how its weapons are used extensively by Netanyahu’s Genocidal army, tested on Palestinians in Gaza. Elbit Systems profited from the Genocide in Gaza and saw the wholesale destruction of Gaza as a marketing opportunity. Major international investment firms have already withdrawn from the company due to its involvement in the Genocide. But NATO purchased tens of millions of euros worth of defence equipment from it. And this amount may be much higher, as many contracts are not made public. 

Since July 13, NATO were finally forced to ban Elbit Systems, but the reason is suspected major corruption.  NATO bans Elbit due to "serious allegations indicating that Elbit may have engaged in criminal practices, including irregularities in the awarding of contracts," according to a document reviewed by the investigative journalists. 

The allegations are related to a bribery scandal involving the NATO Support & Procurement Agency (NSPA), which is responsible for defence procurement for the 32 member NATO members. Defence companies allegedly paid millions of euros in bribes to (former) NSPA employees to secure NATO contracts. 

Elbit Systems seem to have been involved in a criminal organisation with people who used bribery to secure NATO contracts. One of the main suspects worked for the Belgian Ministry of Defence and also worked for the NSPA. According to the Public Prosecution Service in Belgium, he received nearly 2 million euros in bribes in exchange for contracts. 

In May, Rotterdam resident H. de J., who was responsible for purchasing ammunition for the Dutch defence for many years, was also arrested. He allegedly accepted bribes from defence companies in 2023. 

Elbit Systems has several ongoing contracts with the NSPA, for example, equipment purchased for Ukraine. The Netherlands purchased $175 million worth of self-defence systems from the company at the end of last year. 

Elbit says it cannot comment on this news because it has no knowledge of it.

It is unclear yet what role VVD Rutte and his personal assistant, VVD Van Leeuwen, played in this matter. However, even during his premiership, there were close ties between VVD Rutte and the Israeli defence industry. 

INFO: VVD Minister Van Leeuwen secretly deleted anti-Palestinian tweets just before taking office: https://lnkd.in/eYw6nYxd

Sources a.o. Follow the Money (FTM), La Lettre, Knack, NOS Nieuws and Le Soir