Arms sales to Israel: Council of Europe warns

In a statement, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, reiterated his call for member states to "do everything possible to prevent and respond to violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in the context of the Gaza conflict."

"This includes applying existing legal standards to ensure that arms transfers are not authorized when there is a risk that they will be used to commit violations" of fundamental rights, the Commissioner wrote.

“Do more and quickly”

Last week, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a suspension of arms exports that Israel could use in the Gaza conflict, a major policy shift for Berlin, a traditional ally of the Jewish state.

"However, more must be done, and quickly," the Commissioner argues. The Council of Europe, based in Strasbourg, is the watchdog for democracy and human rights on the continent.