Authorities greenlight weapons shipments to Israel
Fresh Take:
Germany's Arms Exports to Israel Under Scrutiny
The newly elected German government, comprising the Union and SPD, has kept Israel on its list of approved arms recipients, explicitly mentioning exports worth nearly €4 million in the first five weeks of their term. However, it's essential to note that no weapons of war were included in these shipments, as reported by the Ministry of Economics in response to an inquiry by Left Party MP Desiree Becker.
This revelation comes amidst heated debate over German arms exports to Israel, with criticisms mostly driven by Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip. Even the Federal Chancellor, Friedrich Merz (CDU), has voiced his concerns, questioning the current Israeli army’s actions in the Gaza Strip. Some within the SPD have even advocated for a complete halt to arms exports to Israel, a proposal met with resistance by the Union.
Despite these disputes, the scope of the German government's approvals for Israel remains relatively low compared to the previous administrations. In the first five months following an attack on Israel by Hamas in October 2023, the traffic light coalition and the subsequent red-green government approved arms sales worth nearly €500 million. However, since the new government took office in May 2025, Israel has received just €4 million in arms, landing it in tenth place among Germany's most important arms export recipients.
Thorsten Frei, Chancellor's Office chief, stresses that there is no strategic shift in Germany's stance towards Israel. Additionally, he highlights the need for Israel to maintain its defense capabilities and ensure its long-term survival.
However, the issue is not only a matter of internal debate, but also international concern. A lawsuit has been filed against Germany at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, accusing it of aiding and abetting genocide due to its arms export policies.
Left Party MP Becker harshly criticizes the government's decision to approve arms exports worth €4 million "in the middle of an increasingly escalating war," arguing that the money could have been used to deliver essential supplies like medicines and food to the Gaza Strip instead.
[1] German Arms Exports to Israel: An Overview[2] The Future of German Arms Exports to Israel: A Review Underway[3] SPD's Call for Halting Arms Exports to Israel[4] Arms Exports to Israel Under the Current German Government[5] The Impact of German Arms Exports on the Conflict in Gaza
- The debate over economic and social policy, particularly Germany's arms exports to Israel, has been intensified by war-and-conflicts, such as the Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip, leading to political concerns and policy-and-legislation proposals, such as the SPD's call for a halt to arms exports.
- This criticism is not just confined to domestic politics, as general-news outlets and international bodies, like the International Criminal Court in The Hague, have taken notice, filing a lawsuit against Germany, arguing that its arms export policies could be aiding and abetting genocide.
