Through a web of corruption and deceit, Israel is deeply entangled in the lucrative blood diamond trade in the DRC. Here’s how they're reaping windfall profits.Gold miners form a human chain while digging an open pit at the Chudja mine in the Kilomoto concession near the village of Kobu, 100 km from Bunia in north-eastern Congo.
“These minerals are often extracted in conditions of extreme violence, with profits being used to finance armed groups that contribute to prolonged conflict,” says Djuma. “Conflict diamonds, also known as blood diamonds, are diamonds that are mined in war zones and sold to finance insurgencies, warlords, or invading armies. The global community, through the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, has taken steps to curb the flow of these diamonds, but still, illicit trade persists, especially in conflict areas like the DRC,” says Djuma.
“While there is limited direct evidence connecting Israeli actors to conflict diamonds in the DRC specifically, some reports suggest that Israeli companies and individuals may have benefited from access to conflict zones by leveraging relationships in neighbouring countries.” In 2022, Israel's polished diamond exports reached approximately $9.16 billion, marking a sharp increase from $6.91 billion in 2021.