Israel

Israel has participated in all Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons meetings on autonomous weapons systems since 2014, and took part in the 2013 UN Human Rights Council meeting on autonomous weapons systems. Israel argues that there are ‘operational advantages’ to the use of autonomous weapons systems, and has stated that ‘existing IHL provides the applicable framework for regulating the use of weapons systems based on emerging technologies in the area of LAWS.’^[1]Contribution by Israel to the CCW Group of Governmental Experts on LAWS, Considerations on the Operationalization of the Eleven Guiding Principles adopted by the Group of Governmental Experts, … Continue reading Israel does not support the negotiation of a legally binding instrument on autonomous weapons systems.

At the 78th UN General Assembly in 2023, Israel was one of 8 states which abstained from voting on resolution L.56 on autonomous weapons systems. Resolution L.56 stressed the ‘urgent need for the international community to address the challenges and concerns raised by autonomous weapons systems’, and mandated the UN Secretary-General to prepare a report, reflecting the views of member and observer states on autonomous weapons systems and ways to address the related challenges and concerns they raise from humanitarian, legal, security, technological and ethical perspectives and on the role of humans in the use of force. 164 states voted in favour of the resolution.

Explaining its vote, Israel stated that ‘Israel attaches great importance to the CCW, and recognises its uniqueness as the main forum with the ability to strike the appropriate balance between military and humanitarian considerations’. Israel further stated that it believes that ‘it is important to continue our deliberations with regard to LAWS within the CCW in a substantive and meaningful way, focussing on informed discussions that allow us to further our mutual understandings, and continue to examine the topics that have been raised thus far. Israel calls not to undermine the important work done in the CCW by creating a parallel forum for this subject matter.’^[2]Statement by Israel, UNGA First Committee, 01 November 2023. https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1t/k1t5mdoxcp

In August 2021, at the second session of the 2021 meeting of the Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (GGE on LAWS), Israel said that it is ‘Israel’s position that existing IHL suffices in regulating the use of any future weapon system with autonomous capabilities, and that there is no need for a new legally binding instrument.’^[3]Statement by Israel, CCW Group of Governmental Experts on LAWS, 05 August 2021, http://149.202.215.129:8080/s2t/UNOG/LAWS-05-08-2021-PM_mp3_en.html; please note that this link leads to the full … Continue reading This position was further reiterated in December 2021, at the third session of the 2021 GGE on LAWs, with Israel stating that ‘IHL fully applies to lethal autonomous weapons systems and is a sufficient legal framework for any future use of LAWS.’^[4]Statement by Israel, CCW Group of Governmental Experts on LAWS, 02 December 2021, http://149.202.215.129:8080/s2t/UNOG/LAWS3-02-12-2021-AM_mp3_en.html; please note that this link leads to the full … Continue reading At the 77th UN General Assembly First Committee meeting in October 2022, Israel said that it would ‘continue to play an active and constructive role in any future discussions on lethal autonomous weapon systems.'^[5]Statement by Israel, 77th UN General Assembly First Committee meeting, 24 October 2022, https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1s/k1s8hkl4pp; please note that this link leads to the full recording & … Continue reading

Israel is involved in the development, testing and use of weapons systems with autonomous functions.^[6]See, for example, the Automated Decision Research weapons systems monitor; also SIPRI (2017), Mapping the development of autonomy in weapon systems, … Continue reading