A German Divide: Public Views on Arming Israel
By Lorenz Wolf-Doettinchem
- ~ 1 Min Read
Opinions on German arms exports to Israel: Current sentiments among Germans - Israel's Armed Imports: Examination of Exported Firearms to the Nation
In a surprising statement, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) expressed his concern over the civilian casualties in Gaza, suggesting a reevaluation of Germany's weapons exports to Israel. The latest stern poll reveals that 75% of Germans concur with this proposal, with only 14% supporting continued armament deliveries.
German Citizens' Preference
The budding consensus against arming Israel is evident across the political spectrum. According to recent surveys, the Left Party (94%), the Greens (78%), AfD (77%), SPD (76%), and even CDU/CSU (71%) express support for halting weapons exports. Remarkably, opposition to arming Israel is most vocal among left-wing voters, with strong support for a temporary halt among other parties as well.
Arms Delivery Past and Present
Details on German arms exports are kept confidential by the government, although the Federal Security Council has regularly approved related requests in the past. Sipri estimates that approximately 30% of Israeli weapons imports came from Germany between 2019 and 2023. However, Germany predominantly supplied corvettes and submarines, not significantly related to the Gaza conflict. In response to the recent escalation, media reports indicate that Germany supplied portable anti-tank weapons, ammunition for machine guns, and machine pistols. The traffic light coalition has already reduced export approvals during 2024.
Political Landscape
Within the Christian Democrats, 34% of respondents oppose weapons exports to Israel, while 22% remain undecided. Opposition is more evident among SPD voters, with 48% expressing dissent. Despite public pressure, the German government continues to approve significant arms exports to Israel, indicating a potential reconsideration of the policy amid ongoing events in Gaza.
Sources:
- Civey Survey on Arms Deliveries to Israel (civey.org, 2023)
- Stern Poll: Citizens Call for Israel Arms Review (stern.de, 2023)
- SPD Survey on Israeli Weapons Exports (spd.de, 2023)
- Despite the ongoing dispute in Gaza, EC countries, such as Germany, have been supplying weapons to Israel, with 75% of Germans recently expressing a desire for a reevaluation of this policy.
- Meanwhile, across various sports fields in Germany, one might notice a growing interest in discussions about the free movement of workers within the EC, with many voices, including politicians, expressing support for expanded rights in this area.
