Albania among 11 countries supplying fuel to Israel, report says

August 25, 2024 - Albania has emerged as one of the 11 nations supplying Israel with fuel, according to a new report by Oil Change International. The revelation comes amid ongoing international scrutiny of Israel's military actions in Gaza, which the International Court of Justice (ICJ) recently warned might amount to genocide.

The report, titled Behind the Barrel: New Insights into the Countries and Companies Behind Israel’s Fuel Supply, highlights the key role that fuel imports play in sustaining Israel’s military operations. According to the findings, Albania ranks fourth on the list of Israel’s fuel suppliers, following the USA, Russia, and Brazil.

Albania’s contribution to Israel’s fuel supply chain is notable given its small size and limited resources compared to larger neighboring countries. The report specifies that the fuel delivered from Albania is predominantly used to power fighter jets and bulldozers—key elements in Israel’s ongoing military campaigns.

What is particularly striking is that Albania has outpaced larger European neighbors such as Greece and Italy, both of which have greater fuel production capacities. The report monitored 65 shipments of fuel to Israel, with the most recent deliveries recorded in July 2024.

Fuel, as the report states, is a critical component of warfare. Israel, whose domestic production covers only 1.1% of its fuel needs, relies heavily on imports to keep its military operations running. This dependency has drawn attention from international human rights organizations, which argue that countries supplying Israel with fuel could be complicit in potential war crimes and genocide.

Dr. Irene Pietropaoli of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law commented on the findings, stating that companies and nations supplying fuel to Israel must consider their obligations under international humanitarian law. “These entities,” she emphasized, “could face significant legal repercussions for their role in facilitating actions that may violate international law.”