Intense backing for halting weapon shipments to Israel amidst widespread disapproval of Netanyahu's Gaza tactics
In a significant shift in policy, Germany has halted arms exports that could be used in the Gaza Strip[1][2][3][5], a decision announced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz on August 8, 2025. This move comes in response to the Israeli security cabinet's decision regarding the Gaza Strip.
The CDU/CSU, traditionally one of Israel’s strongest supporters, has taken this step due to concerns over Israel’s intensified military actions after its cabinet decided to take control of Gaza City. This decision, however, has caused internal dissent within the CDU/CSU, with some members opposing the halt, while others support it[3].
The center-left coalition partners, the SPD, largely endorse the decision to suspend arms exports related to the Gaza conflict, aligning with Chancellor Merz’s announcement[3].
Critics, including Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, have accused Merz of yielding to domestic media pressure. Some opinion pieces describe the German halt as a strategic or moral blunder[4].
Luise Amtsberg, former human rights commissioner of the previous government, sharply criticized the course of the Israeli government and considered it right that the federal government no longer wants to deliver any further arms. She also called for further diplomatic pressure to make Netanyahu and his cabinet back down, especially with regard to the internationally wrongful settlement construction in the West Bank[1].
Thomas Röwekamp, chairman of the Defense Committee in the German Bundestag, stated that they do not share the new political goal of Netanyahu to temporarily place the Gaza Strip under Israeli control[2].
Janis Ehling, federal chairman of the Left, called for further steps, stating that Germany has been supplying weapons for too long that are used against the civilian population in the Gaza Strip. He also demanded that the Chancellor recognize Palestine as a state[1].
Ralf Stegner, SPD foreign policy expert, sharply criticized the Israeli decision to expand the Gaza war. He stated that German arms deliveries must not in any way contribute to prolonging the humanitarian catastrophe or the fatal settlement policy[2].
Sara Nanni, foreign policy spokeswoman of the Greens, described the halt of certain arms deliveries to Israel as "overdue." She called on the government to increase pressure on Israel to allow aid deliveries to the civilian population in Gaza[1].
The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is currently catastrophic. The Member of the Bundestag stated that immediate ending of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, release of Israeli hostages by Hamas, halt of settlement policy violating international law, and negotiation of a ceasefire and roadmap towards a two-state solution are necessary for Israel's security and peace[2].
Johannes Winkel, chairman of the Young Union, expressed controversy over the weapons stop, stating that a German federal government cannot and must not simply tick off state interests[1]. However, Jürgen Hardt, foreign policy spokesman of the Union faction, stated that the Israeli government is not adequately fulfilling its responsibility for the humanitarian supply of the population in Gaza[1].
Historically, Germany has been a steadfast ally of Israel, traditionally supporting Israel’s right to self-defense and providing significant arms exports. However, the recent escalation and plans for Gaza occupation prompted this sudden recalibration in German policy[1][2][5].
[1] https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/israel-deutschland-stoppt-waffenlieferungen-an-israel-a-984807.html [2] https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article210104003/Israel-Deutschland-stoppt-Waffenlieferungen-an-Israel.html [3] https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/israel-waffenlieferungen-101.html [4] https://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2025-08/israel-waffenlieferungen-deutschland-gaza-konflikt [5] https://www.dw.com/en/germany-stops-arms-exports-to-israel-over-gaza/a-57015136
The shift in Germany's policy has led to the halting of arms exports that could be used in war-and-conflicts, specifically in the Gaza Strip, due to concerns about Israel's intensified military actions. This policy-and-legislation change, announced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, follows the Israeli security cabinet's decision regarding the Gaza Strip and has sparked internal debates within the CDU/CSU party.
General-news outlets have reported criticisms of this move from Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, as well as opinions that view the German halt as a strategic or moral blunder. Despite these criticisms, the SPD, center-left coalition partners, largely endorse the decision to suspend arms exports related to the Gaza conflict.
