Majority of Germans Favor Modifications in weapons exports towards Israel, according to ARD-DeutschlandTREND.
** Revised Article:**
Opinion polls in Germany reveal a growing public concern and opposition towards arms exports to Israel, particularly amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. A significant portion of the populace is pushing for stricter control or an outright halt on these transactions.
Key Insights:
- Anti-exports Sentiment: Around 51% to a majority of Germans are against arms deliveries to Israel, with opposition notably strong among certain demographics.
- Stricter Controls Advocacy: Up to 73% favor tighter control over arms exports to Israel, with approximately 30% calling for a complete ban on such exports.
- Criticism of Israeli Actions: Polls indicate that about three-quarters of Germans approve of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s criticism of Israeli military actions in Gaza, with 63% believing Israel’s military response in Gaza has gone too far.
- Shifting Perspectives on Historical Responsibility: Only 13% support unconditional backing for Israel, while 74% oppose such a stance. Furthermore, 55% reject the idea that Germany bears a special historical responsibility to protect Israel due to the Holocaust legacy.
Current State of Arms Export:
Despite the public opposition, Germany remains Israel's second-largest arms supplier after the United States. From October 2023 to mid-May 2024, Germany approved military equipment exports to Israel worth €485 million. These deliveries included firearms, ammunition, military components, armored vehicles, and electronic equipment.
The German government stated it would continue arms deliveries but announced in May 2025 that it would not export any weapons used in violation of international humanitarian law. Chancellor Merz and Foreign Minister Wadephul have publicly criticized Israel’s intensified air strikes in Gaza, signaling a rhetorical shift and potential future policy changes, though no legal or practical export bans have been implemented yet.
Overview Table
| Aspect | Public Opinion (2025) | Government Policy (2025) ||------------------------------|------------------------------|-----------------------------------|| Arms Exports to Israel | 51–73% support limits/ban | Continues, with new restrictions || Support for Israel Unconditionally| 13% support; 74% oppose | Rhetorical shift, no full ban || Historical Responsibility | 55% reject special duty | Still referenced in policy debates|
Summary:
There's a clear and increasing majority in Germany advocating for tighter controls or an end to arms exports to Israel, precariously linked to the Gaza conflict and a reevaluation of Germany’s historical responsibilities. However, the German government has maintained arms exports with newly imposed restrictions while hinting at potential policy adjustments in the future [3][4][5].
Other revelations in the polls underscore the general-news landscape, as a large proportion of the German population is not only against arms exports to Israel but also critical of its political actions during the current Gaza conflict. For instance, around 74% of Germans oppose unconditional backing for Israel, and nearly three-quarters (73%) support tighter controls or an outright ban on arms exports to Israel. On the other hand, the German government, despite the public outcry, continues arms deliveries to Israel with new restrictions in place and hints of potential policy changes in the future, such as not exporting weapons used in violation of international humanitarian law (war-and-conflicts).
