Berlin Welcomes Israel's Foreign Minister Amid Controversial Arms Deliveries Debate
In Berlin, Israel's Foreign Minister Sa'ar holds a meeting with Germany's Foreign Minister Wadephul. - Israeli Foreign Minister Saar meets with Germany's Foreign Minister Wadephul in Berlin
Okay, let's dive into the latest on Germany and Israel's relations!
Wadephul, the German Federal Foreign Minister, recently welcomed his Israeli counterpart, Saar, in Berlin. Controversy arose when Wadephul hinted at providing more arms deliveries to Israel to aid its defense against the Houthi militia in Yemen. Previously, he had stirred the pot by tying German arms deliveries for Israel's military operations in Gaza to a thorough legal review. The German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz (CDU), has also been vocal in hardening the German tone towards Israel due to its tough stance in Gaza and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Palestinian territories.
Now, let's shed some light on the nitty-gritty details:
- From October 2023 to May 2025, Germany approved €485.1 million (about $554.3 million) worth of arms export licenses for Israel, consisting of weapons systems, ammunition, radar and communication devices, and parts for armored vehicles[1][2][4]. Unfortunately, specifics about the nature of these exports are. well, top-secret—revealing them could compromise Israel's military capabilities or affect German foreign relations[1][4].
- Speaking of secrets, Wadephul announced a review of arms exports to Israel, with decisions about future deliveries depending on Israel’s actions in Gaza aligning with international humanitarian law[3][5]. While this review is ongoing, it hasn't led to a suspension or significant reduction in arms transfers yet[5].
- Domestically, there's a heated debate within Germany, with officials like Merz expressing worries about the humanitarian repercussions of Israeli operations in Gaza[5]. Yet, German officials, including Wadephul, maintain Israel's right to protect itself from threats like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen[5].
- It's worth mentioning that, while the focus of current German arms exports and discussions primarily revolves around Israel's operations in the Gaza Strip, the regional threat environment—including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis—is often cited to justify continued support[5]. However, the main issues stemming from Israel's actions remain in Gaza.
So there you have it, folks! Germany keeps sending arms to Israel, and while the review is in process, the deliveries stay on track. Internal debates about humanitarian concerns persist, but the support for Israel's right to self-defense remains strong. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story!
- Despite the ongoing controversy and call for a review of arms deliveries to Israel, the German Commission has still been consulted on the draft regulation of the common fisheries policy, a matter that falls under general news.
- Amidst the war-and-conflicts debate in Gaza and the broader Middle East, the dynamics of German foreign relations, particularly with Israel, have become a lively topic in the sphere of politics.
