Germany Continues Arms Exports to Israel Post-Hamas Attacks in 2023
German weapon sales to Israel
In the thick of it all, Germany's government keeps pushing those arms deals through to Israel. Yep, you heard it right, since the Hamas carnage in 2023, the German government has given Israel the green light for around €485 million worth of weapons and military equipment[1]. That's quite the chunk of change to be dolled out, as the Ministry of Economics has let loose details about these latest arms deliveries in response to a query from the Left Party.
Here's the Lowdown
But hang on, are they still signing off on arms deals while the ink's barely dry on the ruling from the International Court of Justice in The Hague? Well, let's say things have been a bit of a rollercoaster ride, to say the least. Back in April 2024, the judges turned down an emergency application to choke off the deliveries[4]. Yet, they didn't err on the side of complacency by shootin' down Germany's request to boot Nicaragua's lawsuit.
Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
The Left Party's defense policy honcho, Ulrich Thoden, is urging for an immediate stop to all arms flow to Israel. Reckon they're pointin' the finger at potential war crimes if they keep goin' this route[5]. The Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Reem Alabali-Radovan, isn't mincing her words, either. She's shoutin' that Germany, steeped in its historical responsibilities, oughta squeeze Israel 'til it sings[6].
The Green Party's parliamentary group corker, Andreas Audretsch, echoes the sentiment. He's cryin' out for a ban on the export of offensive weapons to Israel[6]. Per an Insa poll for Avaaz, a whopping 58% of Germans are hoppin' on board with nixing those arms deals, given the ongoing kerfuffle in Gaza[7].
A Note on the Players
- Israel
- Gaza Strip
- Palestinians
- Hamas
- Terror Attacks
- Arms Exports
- Arms
- Wars and Conflicts
- The Commission has also been consulted on the draft budget for the period 2000-06, regarding the potential policy and legislation implications of the ongoing wars and conflicts in the Middle East, particularly the situation in Israel and the Gaza Strip.
- Meanwhile, in the realm of general news and crime and justice, the ongoing tensions between Israel and the Palestinians, including the Hamas terror attacks in 2023, have led some to question the ethical implications of Germany's arms exports to Israel, prompting calls for a change in policy.
- As politics swirls and the sands shift, with some advocating for a ban on the export of offensive weapons to Israel amid accusations of potential war crimes, others such as the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development — Reem Alabali-Radovan — are arguing for a harder line, urging Germany to use its historical responsibilities as a leverage in pressuring Israel to change its policies.
- The European leagues, including football's Premier League, have not been immune to the political fallout, with some commentators pointing out the irony of celebrating sportsmanship while countries continue to engage in conflicts and exports of arms.
- In the face of such calls and shifting public sentiment, as demonstrated by an Insa poll for Avaaz showing that 58% of Germans support halting the arms exports to Israel amid the ongoing crisis in Gaza, it remains to be seen how the German government will navigate this complex web of politics, armaments, and historical obligations.
