# Six Dutch parties condemn local arms company’s deal with Israeli gunmaker

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/six-dutch-parties-condemn-local-arms-companys-deal-with-israeli-gunmaker/
- Published: 2026-11-12T14:38:31+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-12T15:36:21+00:00
- Original publisher: Middle East Eye (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/six-dutch-parties-condemn-local-arms-companys-deal-israeli-gunmaker
- Topics: Business, Companies, Middle East, World

## Key points

- Six Tilburg parties oppose AIA’s deal with Israeli arms maker IWI.
- AIA plans to make rifles and machine guns in the Netherlands.
- The city has yet to respond to questions about permits and exports.

## Summary

Six political parties in Tilburg have condemned a local arms company’s agreement with Israeli manufacturer Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), asking whether the city can stop production or prevent the weapons from reaching Israel’s military. Their objection centres on the company’s Israeli ties and the possibility of exports, amid the war in Gaza and conditions in the occupied West Bank.

Tilburg-based AIA bought designs and technical know-how for the Arad 5 rifle and Negev UX light machine gun, with initial production planned in the city before moving to a larger site in Overijssel. AIA says it intends to supply European countries and other Nato partners; whether it could also sell to Israel is unclear. The city has not yet answered the parties’ questions about permits and possible restrictions. A January parliamentary motion cited €2 billion in Dutch military equipment purchases from Israeli firms in recent years.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.