Six members of the European Parliament have submitted formal written questions to the Vice-President of the European Commission/High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, raising serious concerns over the export and use of European-trained dogs as weapons against Palestinian civilians. The questions were prompted by the findings of the ARIJ investigation “Attack Dogs: How Europe Supplies Israel with Brutal Canine Weapons” by Mahmoud Sobky.
The investigation reveals that military dogs involved in attacks on Palestinian civilians — including children — were likely exported from European countries. The incidents documented include harrowing cases in both Gaza and the West Bank, such as the killing of 25-year-old Mohammed Bahar, a Palestinian man with Down Syndrome, who died after being mauled by a dog during an Israeli military raid.
The six Members of Parliament who submitted the inquiry are:
- Anja Hazekamp (The Left)
- Sebastian Everding (The Left)
- Anthony Smith (The Left)
- Jonas Sjöstedt (The Left)
- Catarina Vieira (Greens/EFA)
- Krzysztof Śmiszek (S&D)
In their submission, the MEPs asked whether the Commission intends to investigate the export of these dogs and whether it considers their use in attacks on civilians a violation of human rights. Such violations, they argue, could mean that Israel is failing to uphold the conditions outlined in Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which ties cooperation to respect for human rights.
The lawmakers also questioned whether the Commission recognizes that weaponizing animals — particularly deploying dogs in conflict zones — is incompatible with EU legislation that classifies animals as sentient beings deserving of protection. They called on the Commission to close legal loopholes by acknowledging the use of dogs as weapons or dual-use items under arms trade regulations. They further urged the EU to monitor exports of such animals more closely, including tracking their quantity, purpose, and origin, and to take stronger action to prevent their use in conflict.
The ARIJ investigation has reignited debate within the EU on ethical responsibilities in arms and dual-use exports, particularly when linked to documented human rights abuses. The European Commission’s response is now awaited.
This investigation has been published on other platforms including The Guardian. The Arabic investigation has been published on Alyoum 24, Almustathmer, Mada News, Aber, Raseef22, Palgraph, Maan, Khoyout, Muwatin, Madar News, AlMuhajer, Zaiocity, and Press Bee.
