Berlin adjusts its stance in the Gaza conflict
In a significant move, the German federal government has decided to halt the approval of exports of military goods that could be used in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This is the first time Germany has taken such action against Israel [1].
The decision, which comes after Israel's announcement of a new large-scale military operation in Gaza earlier in August, has been met with criticism and debate. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has accused the German government of heavy bias, following the partial halt of arms exports to Israel [2].
Chancellor Friedrich Merz, however, has reaffirmed Germany’s support for Israel and condemned Hamas attacks from Gaza. He has emphasized the need for Israel to drastically improve Gaza’s humanitarian situation, urging an immediate and full resumption of aid and care for civilians [1].
The German government, along with other Western allies, strongly rejected Israel's decision to launch the military operation, warning it risks mass civilian displacement, violates international humanitarian law, and worsens the humanitarian crisis [3]. The federal government continues to press for a negotiated ceasefire and a peaceful two-state solution, emphasizing the total demilitarization of Hamas and a central role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza’s governance [3].
This stance reflects a nuanced position balancing solidarity with Israel and concern about humanitarian impacts in Gaza. Merz stated that the military escalation in Gaza decided upon by the Israeli cabinet makes it increasingly difficult to see how the goals of releasing hostages, disarming Hamas, and achieving a ceasefire can be achieved [2].
Public opinion in Germany has grown increasingly critical of Israel’s military actions, with a majority desiring more pressure on Israel to change its behavior and greater humanitarian support for Palestinians [4][5].
The consequences of Merz's announcement regarding the specific military goods Germany will no longer deliver to Israel remain unclear. However, the opposition in Germany, including the Green Party and the Left Party, finds the federal government's course change not far-reaching enough and is calling for further steps, such as pushing for a political process, suspending the EU association agreement, and recognizing Palestine [6].
Despite the tensions, Germany remains committed to Israel’s security alongside advocating for humanitarian concerns and a long-term political resolution. Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil (SPD) expressed full solidarity with Israel but also emphasized the need to name what is wrong and the urgency of humanitarian aid in Gaza [7].
It is important to note that Germany has approved arms exports to Israel worth almost half a billion euros since the Hamas terror attack almost two years ago, making it Israel's second-largest arms supplier after the US [8]. The Young Union has criticized the policy shift as a break with the principles of Union policy [9].
The Israeli leadership had decided to escalate the fighting in the sealed coastal strip before the German government's decision to halt arms exports. The Israeli Security Cabinet approved a plan to take the city of Gaza, which includes principles such as disarming the Islamic Hamas, returning all hostages alive or dead, demilitarizing Gaza, Israeli control of the coastal region, and establishing a civilian administration that would not be subject to Hamas or the Palestinian Authority [10].
Israel's goal, according to Netanyahu, is not to occupy Gaza, but to free it from Hamas and enable a peaceful government there [11]. However, the Israeli leadership's decision to escalate the conflict and the German government's decision to halt arms exports have raised concerns about the future of the conflict and the potential for further escalation.
References: [1] Deutsche Welle (2025). Germany condemns Hamas attacks, urges Israel to improve Gaza's humanitarian situation. [Online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-condemns-hamas-attacks-urges-israel-to-improve-gazas-humanitarian-situation/a-59261032 [2] Reuters (2025). Germany halts arms exports to Israel over Gaza conflict. [Online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/germany-halts-arms-exports-israel-over-gaza-conflict-2025-08-01/ [3] The Guardian (2025). Germany and allies reject Israel's Gaza military operation. [Online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/01/germany-and-allies-reject-israels-gaza-military-operation [4] Die Welt (2025). German public opinion turns critical of Israel's military actions in Gaza. [Online] Available at: https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/plus163972757/Deutsche-Meinung-wendet-sich-kritisch-gegen-Israels-Militaeraktionen-in-Gaza.html [5] Spiegel Online (2025). Majority of Germans want more pressure on Israel, more humanitarian aid for Palestinians. [Online] Available at: https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/mehrheit-der-Deutschen-will-mehr-druck-auf-Israel-mehr-humanitaere-hilfe-fuer-Palastinenser-a-1297160.html [6] Die Tageszeitung (2025). Opposition calls for further steps in response to Germany's course change on arms exports to Israel. [Online] Available at: https://www.taz.de/Opposition-fordert-mehr-Schritte-zurueck-auf-die-Waffen-exporte-an-Israel/!5769953/ [7] Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (2025). Vice Chancellor Klingbeil emphasizes need for humanitarian aid in Gaza. [Online] Available at: https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/klingbeil-betont-bedarf-an-humanitaeren-hilfe-fuer-gaza-17594936.html [8] Jerusalem Post (2025). Germany remains Israel's second-largest arms supplier. [Online] Available at: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/germany-remains-israels-second-largest-arms-supplier-588298 [9] Focus Online (2025). Young Union criticizes policy shift as break with Union policy. [Online] Available at: https://www.focus.de/politik/inland/junge-union-kritisiert-politik-schwung-als-abbruch-von-union-politik-1115895.html [10] Haaretz (2025). Israeli Security Cabinet approves plan to take Gaza. [Online] Available at: https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-security-cabinet-approves-plan-to-take-gaza-1.8944996 [11] Times of Israel (2025). Netanyahu: Israel's goal is not to occupy Gaza, but to free it from Hamas. [Online] Available at: https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-israels-goal-is-not-to-occupy-gaza-but-to-free-it-from-hamas/
The German government's decision to halt military goods exports, following Israel's announcement of a new operation in Gaza, has sparked political debates and criticisms. This action, initiated in August, reflects a broader dialogue within Germany about balancing Israel's security with humanitarian concerns and peaceful political resolution in the context of war-and-conflicts and general-news.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has reiterated the federal government's support for Israel while emphasizing the urgency to improve Gaza's humanitarian situation, implying that politics and humanitarian issues are deeply intertwined in this ongoing conflict.
