President Aleksandar Vučić announced on Sunday that Serbia has officially suspended all arms exports to Israel. The decision comes amid mounting international pressure and growing domestic concern over Belgrade’s military trade, particularly in light of the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Speaking at a press conference, Vučić confirmed that Serbia is no longer exporting “anything to Israel or anyone else” without direct government approval. He emphasized that all military products currently in production would be redirected solely for domestic use. “Not a single bullet will leave Serbia unless the government permits it,” he said.
The move represents a significant shift in Serbia’s defense policy. In 2024, Serbian arms exports to Israel reached €42 million—a substantial increase from approximately €1.4 million in 2023. This sharp rise followed the October 2023 Hamas attacks and Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza. The exports reportedly included ammunition, small arms components, and other defense goods, most of which were routed through the state-owned arms exporter Yugoimport-SDPR.
However, in recent weeks, the government has faced increasing calls to halt all military shipments to Israel. Demonstrations, including large student-led protests in Belgrade, have urged an immediate freeze, citing moral and legal concerns. Last week, Edin Djerlek, the deputy speaker of Serbia’s National Assembly, introduced a motion in parliament calling for a full suspension of arms exports to the Israeli government.
Internationally, Serbia’s arms trade with Israel has drawn criticism from human rights groups and multilateral bodies. The UN Human Rights Council had previously called for an international embargo on arms sales to Israel in response to alleged violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza. Several European countries have already moved to curtail or suspend similar exports.
President Vučić defended his government’s decision by citing both legal and ethical considerations. He also took aim at recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian territory, describing them as violations of international law and suggesting they contributed to an increasingly dangerous regional environment. While reaffirming Serbia’s diplomatic relationships with both Israel and Iran, Vučić said that national interests must come first.
Qatar, a key diplomatic player in the Middle East, has also condemned ongoing military escalations, and Serbia’s suspension may be viewed by some analysts as aligning with a broader European trend toward reassessing arms exports in conflict zones. While Serbia has traditionally sought to balance relations between Western allies and other global powers, the government now appears more inclined to distance itself from controversial military engagements abroad.
The suspension may also impact Serbia’s broader strategic positioning. Belgrade has recently signaled interest in strengthening ties with the United States and NATO while continuing to maintain a nonaligned stance. In halting weapons exports to Israel, Serbian officials may be seeking to demonstrate their responsiveness to international norms and growing scrutiny on military supply chains.
Vučić did not say when—or if—the suspension would be lifted, but made it clear that any future exports would be subject to a rigorous review process involving both the presidency and the defense ministry.
