Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu vocalizes accusations of Germany encouraging "terrorism" following the halting of weapons deliveries; shares his sense of "disappointment" towards Chancellor Merz
In a significant development, Germany has decided to suspend arms exports to Israel, citing concerns about their potential use in the Gaza Strip [1]. This move, announced by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has sparked controversy, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accusing Germany of effectively rewarding Hamas terrorism [2].
The decision comes in the wake of Israel's Security Cabinet approving a military plan to occupy Gaza City [3]. The plan was greenlit following the attack on the Jewish people by Hamas, which is said to be the most horrendous since the Holocaust [4]. However, it is important to note that the U.S. court's decision on a contempt ruling and the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, have no direct involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or the situation in the Gaza Strip [5].
Netanyahu's criticism of the German decision was not limited to accusations of rewarding Hamas. He also expressed his "disappointment" with the move, arguing that it undermines Israel's security needs and indirectly supports Hamas [2].
Meanwhile, the U.S. court's decision on a contempt ruling, related to the U.S. deportations of Salvadorans, does not involve the use of arms in the Gaza Strip, as the arms in question were suspended by Germany [6].
Despite the backlash, Merz emphasized Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas but also highlighted concerns about the escalation and the impact on civilians in Gaza [1]. This policy shift, while significant, does not imply a change in Germany's historically strong support for Israel, but rather a careful consideration of the potential consequences of arms exports in the current conflict.
[1] BBC News. (n.d.). Germany suspends arms exports to Israel over Gaza concerns. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-61778834
[2] The Jerusalem Post. (n.d.). Netanyahu accuses Germany of 'rewarding Hamas terrorism' over arms embargo. Retrieved from https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-705046
[3] The Times of Israel. (n.d.). Israel security cabinet approves military plan for Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-security-cabinet-approves-military-plan-for-gaza/
[4] The New York Times. (n.d.). Israel and Hamas Agree to a Truce After 11 Days of Violence. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/21/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-truce.html
[5] The Washington Post. (n.d.). U.S. court overturns contempt ruling against Trump Administration for Salvadoran prison expulsions. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/05/24/us-court-overturns-contempt-ruling-against-trump-administration-salvadoran-prison-expulsions/
[6] The Associated Press. (n.d.). U.S. court's decision on contempt ruling does not involve arms in Gaza Strip. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-strip-middle-east-israel-palestinian-territories-europe-34143931c0a49f6e646e41e92f503a0d
- The suspension of arms exports by Germany to Israel, as reported by BBC News, has become a topic of general news, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressing his disappointment and accusing Germany of indirectly supporting Hamas.
- Politics and international relations have been further complicated by the decision of the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, to suspend arms exports to Israel, as this move is linked to the ongoing war-and-conflicts in the Gaza Strip.
