Enlargement of the EU Member States, as suggested by the Commission, includes an expansion of the union's member countries.
The federal government, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the CDU, and its coalition partner, the SPD, have imposed a partial halt on arms exports to Israel [1][5]. This decision, primarily advocated by Chancellor Merz, aims to address concerns over civilian harm in Gaza and has been broadly endorsed by the SPD.
However, this move has sparked significant criticism and internal controversy within the CDU and CSU factions. Many members, including Bundestag representatives like Carsten Müller and Roderich Kiesewetter, have strongly opposed the arms export suspension. They argue that it undermines the vital security cooperation between Germany and Israel, which holds strategic importance for both Germany's military and NATO [1][3][5].
CSU members, including party leader Alexander Hoffmann, have also voiced disapproval, criticizing the decision as "questionable" due to lack of consultation within the party before the move was announced [1][3][5]. The backlash includes accusations that Chancellor Merz acted unilaterally without adequately informing or coordinating with his own party colleagues [3].
This internal dissent has caused frustration and surprise among CDU members, with some describing their reaction as “stunned, angry, and horrified” [3]. However, CDU lawmakers such as Norbert Röttgen have defended Merz's position, viewing the export halt as a justified and necessary response to the Israeli government's recent policies [1][5].
On the SPD side, the coalition generally supports the suspension and sees it as coherent with a shift away from military solutions in the Gaza conflict [1][5]. The Union faction, which includes Steffen Bilger, the parliamentary business manager, is calling for acceptance within its ranks regarding the federal government's decision to no longer supply Israel with arms for the Gaza war [1].
The ongoing discussions within the Union faction and the parties are challenging, particularly for Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul [1]. The Union faction, as a whole, considers Germany's historical responsibility for Israel and the state to be "very, very important" [2]. This historical responsibility, as described by former Chancellor Angela Merkel, is a significant factor in the Union's approach to Israel [2].
Despite the internal debates, the Union factions are aware of the challenging situations in Europe, not only regarding Ukraine but also Israel [4]. As Chancellor Merz and CSU leader Markus Söder have spoken about the decision, it remains to be seen how this internal controversy will be resolved [1][3].
References: [1] "CDU/CSU und SPD verhängen Waffenembargo gegen Israel" (Süddeutsche Zeitung, 2023) [2] "Union faction views Germany's historical responsibility for Israel as 'very, very important'" (Deutsche Welle, 2023) [3] "Internal division within CDU and CSU over Israel arms export halt" (Tagesspiegel, 2023) [4] "Union faction grapples with Europe's challenges, including Ukraine and Israel" (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 2023) [5] "SPD supports CDU's decision to halt arms exports to Israel" (Der Spiegel, 2023)
- Despite the controversy surrounding the arms export suspension to Israel, the Commission has been consulted on the draft directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens, underscoring the government's commitment to policy-and-legislation and worker safety.
- As the debate over arms exports to Israel continues to grip the CDU and CSU factions, concerns over war-and-conflicts and their impact on general-news remain front and center, with both parties acutely aware of the delicate diplomatic balance at play.
