Military exports from Germany to Israel temporarily cease over concerns of equipment usage in Gaza conflict
In a significant shift in policy, Germany has paused military equipment exports to Israel that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice, following Chancellor Friedrich Merz's announcement on August 9, 2025. This decision, which draws criticism from Israeli leaders, marks a departure from Germany's traditionally strong alliance with Israel.
The embargo affects export approvals for weapons and military hardware potentially used in Gaza, including submarines, naval vessels, tank engines, shells, and various light and heavy weapons supplied by Germany. The German government, however, declined to comment on which specific military equipment from Germany would be affected.
Germany is a major arms supplier to Israel, ranking second after the United States, with average annual exports valued at about $480 million over the last decade. This suspension covers a partial but significant segment of Germany's military exports to Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed disappointment with the arms decision, stating that Germany is rewarding Hamas and failing to support Israel's "just war" against the group. Netanyahu also criticized the move, saying it "rewards Hamas terrorism."
The decision by Germany is likely to further isolate Israel, as it has been criticized by the United Nations, aid groups, and human rights organizations. The UK has also suspended exports of some weapons to Israel over concerns they could be used to break international law, affecting about 30 of 350 existing export licenses for equipment that could be used in Gaza.
Notably, German-made engines can be fitted in Israeli Merkava tanks and Namer armored personnel carriers. The foreign ministers of the Netherlands and Denmark have expressed concern over Israel's decision to intensify the operation and its impact on civilians in Gaza. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also criticized Israel's extension of military operations in Gaza.
In a statement, Merz justified the move by emphasizing the priority on the release of Israeli hostages and the pursuit of a ceasefire, while affirming Israel's right to self-defense against Hamas terrorism. However, Merz's government did not join announcements by France and Britain to recognize a Palestinian state in September.
Germany has led efforts among the EU's 27 member nations to block collective criticism of or efforts to stop Israel's blockade of Gaza and military campaign in the coastal enclave. Slovenia, meanwhile, has banned the import, export, and transit of all weapons to and from Israel in response to the country's actions in Gaza, making it the first EU member country to do so.
As the conflict in Gaza continues, it remains to be seen how long the pause on military equipment exports from Germany will last and what impact it will have on the ongoing situation.
[1] The Guardian [2] BBC News [3] Reuters [4] The Jerusalem Post
- News outlets such as The Guardian, BBC News, Reuters, and The Jerusalem Post report that the German government's decision to pause military equipment exports to Israel has sparked protests from Israeli leaders, as it marks a departure from Germany's traditionally strong alliance with Israel.
- The economic implications of Germany's suspension of military exports to Israel are being closely watched, with German-made engines being crucial components in Israeli Merkava tanks and Namer armored personnel carriers.
- In the wider context of war-and-conflicts and politics, the suspension of military equipment exports to Israel by Germany and the UK, and the subsequent criticism from Israeli leaders, is a major point of discussion in general-news, with the UN, aid groups, human rights organizations, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen all expressing concern over Israel's actions in Gaza and its impact on civilians.
