The ongoing conflict in Palestine has reached a critical point, with over 30,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, losing their lives. At the heart of this devastating situation lies a complex network of countries supplying fuel to Israel, enabling the continued bombardment of Palestinian territories. New research commissioned by Oil Change International and compiled by DataDesk has shed light on the intricate supply chains of crude oil and refined products to Israel, exposing the countries and companies whose fuel supplies are perpetuating this humanitarian crisis.

The Global Network of Fuel Suppliers

The research reveals a startling picture of international involvement in supplying fuel to Israel’s military operations. Eleven countries have been identified as key players in this fuel supply network, with the United States emerging as the primary direct source of imported jet fuel for the Israeli military. Other major contributors include the UK, Germany, Italy, and several other nations providing weapons, military aid, and diplomatic cover for actions causing immense civilian suffering.

Oil majors such as BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell, Eni, and TotalEnergies are also implicated in this crisis through their ownership stakes in and operations of projects supplying oil to Israel. Notably, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have been identified as significant sources of crude oil delivered since the conflict began.

Key Findings: The Fuel Supply Chain

1. US Military Aid and Jet Fuel:
Israel has received three tankers of JP8 Jet Fuel since the war started, with two shipments sent after the conflict began. The latest tanker was observed docked at Israel’s Ashkelon terminal on March 6. This specialized fuel is crucial for military jet operations.

2. Crude Oil Sources:
Israel receives regular shipments of crude oil through various channels. The Sumed pipeline, which receives oil from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Egypt, provides a steady supply. Interestingly, all these countries have publicly condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza.

3. International Oil Company Involvement:
Major international oil companies play a significant role in supplying fuel to Israel. Crude oil from Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan is delivered through pipelines owned or operated by BP, Chevron, Exxon, Shell, and Eni. Additionally, two shipments of Brazilian crude oil, totaling 260,000 tons, have been delivered to Israel since December 2023, supplied from offshore fields co-owned by Shell and TotalEnergies, along with Brazil’s Petrobras.

The Impact of Fuel Supply on the Conflict

The continuous supply of fuel to Israel has dire consequences for the Palestinian people. With critical infrastructure destroyed and civilian casualties mounting, the role of these fuel supplies in perpetuating the conflict cannot be overstated. The research highlights how countries and companies continuing to provide fuel to Israel are enabling the ongoing violence and oppression against Palestinians.

Calls for Action and Accountability

In response to these findings, Palestinian groups and their allies have called for an energy embargo. They are demanding that governments and companies cease all fuel shipments to Israel until it ends the genocide and its regime of apartheid against the Palestinian people. The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement has specifically called for a consumer boycott of Chevron-branded gas stations.

Allie Rosenbluth, Oil Change International US Program Manager, emphasizes the complicity of countries and major oil companies in the ongoing genocide. She states, “Countries and major oil companies supplying fuel to Israel’s war machine are complicit in the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people. With growing public outrage, including massive protests across the globe, the demand for an end to this genocide is resounding.”

The Way Forward: Ceasefire and Accountability

The international community faces a crucial decision point. The research calls for nations to leverage their oil supply as a means to demand an immediate ceasefire and an end to the occupation. It highlights the need for fossil fuel companies to be held accountable for their role in fueling conflict against innocent civilians.

The revelation of countries supplying fuel to Israel amidst the ongoing conflict in Palestine presents a challenging ethical and political dilemma for the international community. As the death toll rises and the humanitarian crisis deepens, the role of fuel supplies in perpetuating the conflict becomes increasingly difficult to ignore. The call for an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian access, and a just peace based on international law grows louder. It is imperative that nations and companies involved in supplying fuel to Israel reassess their positions and consider the humanitarian implications of their actions. Only through concerted international effort and a commitment to peace can we hope to end the suffering of the Palestinian people and work towards a lasting resolution to this long-standing conflict.