Celebrities, over 160 in number, advocate for a truce in Israel conflict
The German government, under the leadership of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has imposed a halt on arms exports to Israel specifically for weapons that could be used in the Gaza conflict. This decision was made in response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement of military operations focusing on Gaza City [1][2].
Merz emphasized that Germany cannot supply weapons "into a conflict that is now being pursued exclusively by military means" and stated the government aims to support diplomatic efforts instead [1][2]. This policy marks a significant move given Germany's usual security ties with Israel, reflecting a stance against contributing to escalation in the Gaza conflict.
The German government's position remains that any formal recognition of a Palestinian state should come only after a negotiated peace agreement leading to a two-state solution, despite a majority of Germans supporting recognition of Palestine [3].
The call for halting arms exports to Israel was initiated by a group of over 200 prominent figures, including celebrities such as Nina Chuba, Clueso, Fatih Akin, Ari Folman, Sandra Hüller, Ski Aggu, Katharina Thalbach, Joko Winterscheidt, and Klaas Heufer-Umlauf [1][2]. The number of signatories on the appeal has increased to 367 [1].
The open letter, addressed to Federal Chancellor Merz, condemns the horrendous crimes of Hamas in the strongest terms, while also criticizing Netanyahu's plan to occupy the entire Gaza Strip [1]. The initiators of the letter stated, "Mr. Merz, it's high time to act!" in response to the situation in the Gaza Strip [1].
The call to halt German arms exports to Israel and the open letter continue to garner support from prominent figures. The "Tagesschau" reported on the call and the open letter [1]. As of Wednesday morning, 367 prominent figures have signed the appeal to halt German arms exports to Israel [1].
Despite criticism from members of his own conservative CDU/CSU coalition who oppose the halt [2][3], Merz has defended this embargo as a response to military escalation and a shift toward diplomatic solutions [2][3].
This stance comes amidst ongoing controversy and calls from public figures, including celebrities, for halting arms exports due to humanitarian concerns [1][2]. The call to Federal Chancellor Merz was made in light of the current situation in the Gaza Strip and aims to impose further sanctions in addition to halting weapons exports [1]. The initiators of the letter made it clear that the call to halt German arms exports to Israel does not condone the crimes of Hamas [1].
[1] Tagesschau (2022). Retrieved from https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/israel-waffenexport-101.html [2] Spiegel Online (2022). Retrieved from https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/israel-waffenexport-merz-sagt-nein-a-1304967.html [3] Deutsche Welle (2022). Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/germany-halts-arms-exports-to-israel-amid-gaza-conflict/a-61266634
Entertainment mogul Nina Chuba, alongside celebrities Clueso, Fatih Akin, Ari Folman, Sandra Hüller, Ski Aggu, Katharina Thalbach, Joko Winterscheidt, and Klaas Heufer-Umlauf, has voiced concern about politics and general-news, specifically the Gaza conflict, by urging Chancellor Friedrich Merz to cease arms exports to Israel. The open letter, criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's military operations in Gaza City, calls for diplomatic efforts instead.
