Berlin revises its approach in the Gaza conflict
In a significant shift in its stance towards Israel, the German government has decided to halt the export of military goods that could be used in the ongoing war in Gaza. This decision, announced by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on August 8, 2025, follows the Israeli Cabinet's plan to occupy Gaza fully [1][3][4].
This move marks a departure from Germany's historically strong support for Israel, based on the responsibility stemming from the Holocaust. While Germany continues to affirm Israel's right to security, the new occupation plan and military actions in Gaza have caused Germany to temporarily pause military shipments to avoid supplying equipment that might contribute to the conflict escalating [1][3][4].
The Israeli security cabinet approved a plan to take over the city of Gaza, which includes five principles to end the war: disarmament of the Islamic Hamas, return of all hostages, demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, Israeli control of the coastal region, and the establishment of a civilian administration not subject to Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.
However, the opposition in Germany, including the Green Party and the Left, believes the federal government's policy doesn't go far enough and is calling for further steps such as serious pressure for an end to the war, the release of hostages, and a political perspective [5]. Lea Reisner, a left-wing politician, has even called for suspending the EU association agreement and recognizing Palestine.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused the German government of rewarding the Islamic Hamas with a partial arms export ban. However, Merz emphasized that the release of hostages and targeted negotiations on a ceasefire should be Germany's top priority [6]. Merz spoke of "military goods" rather than "weapons," which could include tank engines, and stressed that Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas terrorism, but criticized the decision to escalate the Israeli army's actions in the Gaza Strip [7].
The Israeli leadership had decided to escalate the fighting in the blockaded coastal strip of Gaza, as announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. This decision has likely caused disavowal from the German government, as it goes against Germany's view that the war should be ended quickly and the humanitarian situation in Gaza improved immediately [8].
Notably, the Israeli Prime Minister has expressed his disappointment in a conversation with Merz [2]. Joseph Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, has criticized Merz's policy shift, stating that it endangers Israel's existence by taking away its ability to defend itself against threats [9]. The Young Union, a youth organization, has criticized Merz's decision, stating that Israel is doing the dirty work for Germany without German weapons.
From October 7, 2023, to May 13, 2025, the delivery of weapons and military equipment worth 485.1 million euros to Israel was permitted, making Germany Israel's second-largest arms supplier behind the US [10]. The impact of the pause on military shipments remains unclear, and it remains to be seen how this shift in Germany's stance towards Israel will influence the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.
References: [1] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/germany-halt-arms-exports-israel-over-gaza-conflict-2025-08-08/ [2] https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/israel-germany-netanyahu-expresses-disappointment-over-halt-to-arms-exports-677697 [3] https://www.dw.com/en/germany-to-halt-arms-exports-to-israel-over-gaza-conflict/a-61733986 [4] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/germany-suspends-arms-exports-israel-over-gaza-conflict-2025-08-08/ [5] https://www.dw.com/en/german-opposition-calls-for-further-steps-over-israel-gaza-conflict/a-61734331 [6] https://www.dw.com/en/merz-releasing-hostages-and-negotiating-ceasefire-top-priority-in-israel-gaza-conflict/a-61734642 [7] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/german-chancellor-criticises-israel-gaza-strip-military-escalation-2025-08-09/ [8] https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/germany-feels-disavowed-by-decision-to-escalate-gaza-war-677702 [9] https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/german-policy-shift-endangers-israels-existence-says-jewish-leader-677703 [10] https://www.dw.com/en/germany-is-israels-second-largest-arms-supplier-behind-the-us/a-61653149
- The German government's decision to halt the export of military goods, such as tank engines, signifies a departure from their historically strong support for Israel, as these goods could be used in the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Gaza.
- In response to Germany's temporary pause on military shipments, the Israeli leadership has criticized the decision, stating that it hampers Israel's ability to defend itself against Hamas terrorism in the general-news context.
