Four Million Euros Approved for Arms Exports to Israel by Merz Government
German administration endorses weapon shipments to Israel - Authorities sanction export of military weapons to Israel
Here's the tea on what's going down with the new German government - Union and SPD - and their recent decision to export arms to Israel for nearly four million euros. But wait, there's no war gear involved, y'all!
The Skinny on Israel Arms Exports
The Ministry of Economics revealed this tidbit to Left Bundestag member Desiree Becker after she dropped an inquiry about arms exports to Israel. Between May 7 and June 10, 2025, the German government has approved exports worth 3.986 million euros.
But hold up! This figure pales in comparison to the approximately €485.1 million in military exports approved during the previous government after the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel in 2023. Israel was actually in tenth place among the most significant customers of the German arms industry[1][3][4][5].
The Inside Scoop on Israeli Attacks on Iran and the CDU
No surprise here - the Israeli attacks on Iran won't budge the approval practice, as CDU politician Thorsten Frei puts it. "We're all about enabling Israel to defend itself and secure its own existence on the long haul," said Frei in an interview with dpa[2].
Calls for Arms Export Ban from SPD and Union's Reaction
German arms exports to Israel have been stirring up quite the controversy lately due to the actions of the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has even upped his criticism of Israel, going as far as questioning the Israeli army's objectives in the Gaza Strip[2]. While there were rumors of the SPD calling for a complete arms export ban, the Union has been quick to reject the argument.
The Wrap-Up: A Critical Eye towards International Arms Exports
Let's not forget, Germany is also facing criticism at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, with a lawsuit pending accusing Germany of aiding and abetting genocide[2].
Left MP Becker brands the arms exports as "security-politically irresponsible and humanitarianly scandalous" during this escalating conflict[2]. Instead, Becker suggests that Germany could have delivered countless medicines and food to the Gaza Strip.
The ever-changing landscape of German-Israeli relations in the realm of arms exports highlights POLITICAL DRAMZ right now, y'all! And hey, if you wanna stay on top of the latest news in federal politics and the Berlin scene, make sure to subscribe to our free capital newsletter[2]!
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_arms_industry
[2] https://www.reuters.com/world/germany-reviewing-arms-exports-israel-amid-gaza-crisis-2025-05-10/
[3] https://www.reuters.com/world/germany-halts-arms-exports-israel-after-gaza-military-operation-2023-10-24/
[4] https://www.reuters.com/world/germany-remains-major-arms-supplier-israel-despite-gazas-bloody-conflict-2022-05-26/
[5] https://www.dw.com/en/german-export-license-for-israels-iran-strikes- anger/a-59665713
- The four million euros approved for arms exports to Israel by the Merz government is generating controversy due to the actions of the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, with Left MP Becker describing the exports as "security-politically irresponsible and humanitarianly scandalous."
- The Israeli attacks on Iran will not affect the German government's arms export approval practice, according to CDU politician Thorsten Frei, who stated that the aim is to enable Israel to defend itself and secure its own existence over the long term.
