Israel's weapons shipments partially halted draws initial criticism from SPD - Criticism emerging from the SPD regarding the temporary halt of weapons provision to Israel
In the midst of the ongoing Gaza conflict, Germany has announced a temporary suspension of weapons deliveries to Israel, marking a significant shift in the country's foreign policy.
On August 8, 2025, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made the announcement, stating that Germany would pause arms exports to Israel, particularly weapons that could be used in the Gaza Strip, following Israel's Cabinet announcement to occupy Gaza City. This decision was framed as a response to avoid supplying arms to a conflict with potentially high civilian casualties.
Merz defended this approach as consistent with longstanding German policy but emphasized that Germany cannot support military solutions that risk mass civilian harm. However, within his own party, there has been backlash against this partial arms freeze, reflecting divisions about balancing historical responsibility to Israel with current humanitarian concerns.
The Social Democratic Party (SPD), at its June 2025 federal conference, agreed on a policy that German weapons must not be used for violations of international law, signaling a position emphasizing legal and ethical constraints on arms exports. SPD leader, Lars Klingbeil, supports the decision made by Merz regarding military goods exports to Israel.
Public opinion in Germany has also shifted, with polls showing increasing disapproval of Israeli government actions and growing opposition to German arms exports to Israel. In fact, 51% of Germans reportedly oppose such exports.
The Israeli security cabinet has approved a plan to seize control of the city of Gaza, a move that has been met with criticism from various German political figures. Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer (CDU) supports Merz and considers the decision on arms exports to be legitimate.
However, the SPD's stance is not without controversy. SPD member Töns has criticized the party for supporting the partial halt of weapon deliveries to Israel, expressing concerns about its potential impact on his relationship with Jewish friends.
Ines Schwerdtner, the Left Party leader, considers Merz's step long overdue but also calls for a real arms embargo, recognition of Palestine as a state, and sanctions against Netanyahu cabinet ministers. Schwerdtner's call includes no more weapons to the Gaza Strip, implying she is against the halt on military goods exports only applying to the Gaza Strip.
Schwerdtner further stated that if Israeli ministers call for the extermination and starvation of a country and its people, it is a war crime and those ministers should be sanctioned.
The announcement by Merz is regarding the future approval of military goods exports to Israel, and there has been no public criticism from the 120-member SPD parliamentary group about Merz's decision. Weimer, describing the German federal government, especially Merz, as the most loyal friend of Israel within Europe, has also expressed support for the chancellor's decision.
In summary, the German government's official policy is currently a pause on arms exports to Israel related to the Gaza conflict, amid party-level debates and a notable shift in public sentiment. The SPD stresses compliance with international law in weapons use, while Chancellor Merz seeks to maintain historical commitments but avoid contributing to escalating violence.
In the midst of the ongoing debate within Germany's political parties, Chancellor Friedrich Merz's announcement of a temporary suspension of military goods exports to Israel, particularly weapons that could be used in the Gaza Strip, is following the Social Democratic Party's (SPD) policy that German weapons must not be used for violations of international law. The SPD's stance, emphasizing legal and ethical constraints on arms exports, mirrors the shift in public opinion in Germany, with increasing disapproval of Israeli government actions and growing opposition to German arms exports to Israel. However, this decision has resulted in internal party disputes, with SPD member Töns expressing concerns about its potential impact on his relationship with Jewish friends. Meanwhile, the Left Party leader, Ines Schwerdtner, calls for a real arms embargo, recognition of Palestine as a state, and sanctions against Netanyahu cabinet ministers, implying she is against the halt on military goods exports only applying to the Gaza Strip. This announcement significantly shifts the country's policy-and-legislation in politics, and it is relevant for general-news, war-and-conflicts, and crime-and-justice.
