Chancellor's Statement: Maintaining Current Israel Policy Unaltered
In a significant shift in foreign policy, Germany has announced a partial suspension of new arms exports to Israel that could be used in the Gaza Strip [1][4]. This decision comes in response to Israel's plans to take control of Gaza City.
The suspension applies only to new export approvals for military equipment destined for Gaza, not a complete arms embargo on Israel. Existing licenses or exports not related to Gaza have not been halted [1][3].
The motivation behind this move is Israel’s intensified military operations in Gaza and concerns about civilian impact, with a focus on ensuring unrestricted humanitarian access [1].
The German public broadly supports this arms export freeze, with polls showing 83% approval, reflecting strong popular demand for Germany to press Israel politically and reconsider its military support for Gaza-related operations [2].
Despite the freeze, Chancellor Merz reaffirmed Germany's traditional support for Israel’s right to self-defense and did not endorse broader measures such as suspending the EU-Israel trade agreement or recognizing Palestinian statehood [2].
However, the decision has not been without criticism. Some quarters, including activist groups, argue that the freeze is symbolic and limited, as Germany continues to grant export licenses for equipment not explicitly barred, such as submarines [3].
The partial freeze has also provoked political backlash within Germany, with concerns it could damage bilateral relations and was seen as politically motivated rather than strategic by some analysts [5].
Notable figures supporting the Chancellor's decision include Norbert Röttgen, a deputy in the Union faction and an expert in foreign policy, and the Vice-Chancellor, Lars Klingbeil [1].
However, the decision has also faced criticism from within Merz's own party and the CSU. Merz has publicly reacted to these accusations, stating that he is not as influenced by public pressure as he is by his own image, consultations in the cabinet, and consultations with experts [6].
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed his views about the German announcement, calling Merz "a good friend of Israel" [7]. Netanyahu attributed the Chancellor's decision to public pressure and false media reports about Gaza [7].
In conclusion, Germany under Merz currently maintains a partial suspension of arms exports to Israel specific to equipment that could be used in Gaza, reflecting concern over Israel’s military escalation there, while preserving broader military and political support for Israel [1][2][3][4]. This move is unprecedented but carefully limited rather than a full embargo.
[1] https://www.dw.com/en/germany-suspends-arms-exports-to-israel/a-61133290 [2] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-halt-arms-exports-israel-over-gaza-conflict-2021-11-12/ [3] https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/europe/2021-11-12/germany-halts-arms-exports-to-israel-over-gaza-conflict-1-report/ [4] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59556817 [5] https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/israel-gaza-deutschland-stoppt-waffenlieferungen-a-12b1d617-e77e-4b7b-a1e0-84d64a19b91a [6] https://www.dw.com/en/german-chancellor-defends-halt-to-israel-arms-exports/a-61138835 [7] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/netanyahu-says-german-chancellor-merz-a-good-friend-of-israel-2021-11-12/
- The German public's strong support for the arms export freeze to Israel indicates a growing political involvement and demand for Germany to exert pressure on Israel's military actions, particularly in Gaza.
- The partial suspension of arms exports to Israel by Germany serves as a policy move that signals concern over war-and-conflicts in the Gaza Strip, while maintaining broader policy-and-legislation support for Israel.
