Chancellor announces no shift in Israel policy decisions. - Chancellor's Announcement: Maintaining Status Quo on Israel Policy
Germany Halts Arms Exports to Israel in Response to Gaza Military Control Plan
In a significant policy shift, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on August 8, 2025, that the country would suspend all arms exports to Israel for use in Gaza following Israel's plan to militarily control Gaza City, a move approved by the Israeli security cabinet.
This decision marks a departure from Germany's historical role as a major supplier of arms to Israel, accounting for around 30% of Israel's arms imports between 2019 and 2023. The German Parliament had previously approved arms exports to Israel totaling around €485 million from October 7, 2023, to May 13, 2025.
The decision was not made lightly. Merz emphasized that he did not make the decision alone, but it was a fundamental attitude question that "cannot be put to a democratic vote." He also sought public discussions on the dispute in the Chancellery regarding the Israeli government's approach in the Gaza Strip.
Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil publicly supported the decision, stating that the fundamentals of German Israel policy remain unchanged and that they will continue to help Israel defend itself. Foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter wrote that the credibility of Germany's statecraft is measured by the security cooperation and the promise to protect Jewish life and the state of Israel.
However, the decision was not without controversy. The CSU, a Bavarian sister party to Merz's CDU, complained that it was not involved in the decision and considered it questionable. CSU parliamentary group leader Alexander Hoffmann criticized the decision, stating it would be a departure from decades of consistent foreign policy towards Israel. There was strong outrage from the CSU and parts of Merz's own party about the decision, with several Union MPs calling it a serious mistake.
The Chancellor's decision was justified due to the Israeli announcement to expand the military operation in the region and to occupy the city of Gaza. Other countries have followed suit, with Italy, Canada, Slovenia, Belgium, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, and the UK also halting or restricting arms exports to Israel. The Hague Group, a coalition of 12 countries, agreed to halt all weapons transfers to Israel in July 2025.
The export ban on arms goods to the Gaza Strip does not affect everything that serves Israel's self-defense, according to Chancellor's Office Minister Thorsten Frei. Netanyahu expressed support for Merz, describing him as "a good friend of Israel."
A video conference of foreign policy experts with Merz's foreign policy advisor Günter Sautter was agreed upon in the Union faction in the Bundestag. Norbert Röttgen, a foreign policy expert and deputy of the Union faction, supported the Chancellor's decision, stating it was necessary in response to the Israeli security cabinet's resolutions to expand the war in Gaza and military control there. He also stated that the decision on arms exports does not contradict standing reliably at the side of Israel when the country is threatened.
In summary, Germany’s August 2025 decision followed Israel’s announcement of its Gaza military control plan, triggering an international wave of arms export suspensions starting mostly from 2023 and intensifying through 2024 and 2025 across multiple countries. The decisions typically involved government-level policy decisions often supported or formalized by parliaments or defense ministries.
- The German Parliament, despite previously approving arms exports to Israel, is now facing a resolution on the Commission communication on the European Union's role in the fight against terrorism, as the Union considers the impact of the German Government's decision to halt arms exports to Israel on the broader European politics and policy-and-legislation in war-and-conflicts.
- Amidst the international wave of arms export suspensions to Israel, the European Parliament, particularly the German Parliament, is expected to closely monitor the situation and enact policies that align with its principles, ensuring it remains not only a significant player in global politics but also a consistent actor in promoting peace and general-news in conflict zones.
