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Opposition Persists in Continuing Weapons Sales to Israel

Following the Hamas terror attack approximately 20 months ago, Germany has authorized weapons sales totaling over 500 million euros to Israel. The precise delivery of these arms remains unknown.

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In the wake of Hamas's terror attack 20 months past, Germany has green-lit weapons exports totaling...
In the wake of Hamas's terror attack 20 months past, Germany has green-lit weapons exports totaling half a billion euros to Israel. The question remains whether these arm shipments were sanctioned.

The Ongoing Gaza Conflict and Germany's Role

Opposition Persists in Continuing Weapons Sales to Israel

Berlin - The leadership of the Union faction in the Bundestag has stood firm against suspending arms sales to Israel amidst its military operations in the Gaza Strip. After a meeting on Monday, the faction's board, including Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU), agreed on a shared stance, emphasizing that while there may be "friendly criticism" directed towards Israel, heavier consequences such as halting arms deliveries or imposing sanctions are not under consideration, as stated by the parliamentary business manager Steffen Bilger [1][2].

Arms Exports Valued at Around €485 Million

Since the Hamas terror attack nearly two years ago, the federal government has greenlit arms exports worth almost half a billion euros to Israel [1]. Between October 7, 2023, and May 13, 2025, the German government approved the delivery of weapons and military equipment valued at 485.1 million euros to Israel, according to a response from the Economics Ministry to a Left faction inquiry, obtained by the German Press Agency [1]. The continuing military operations of the Israeli army in Gaza and the resulting humanitarian crisis have prompted calls from the SPD for a halt to arms exports [1]. But Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has been vocal in his criticism of the Israeli government's actions, yet has steered clear of issuing specific consequences [5].

Bilger maintains that calls for an arms embargo disregard the fact that Israel faces threats not only from shelling in the Gaza Strip but also from attacks in Yemen and Iran. "Naturally, we will continue to support Israel with arms exports," Bilger said [1][2].

Support for Israel: A Consistent Stance

The CSU shares this perspective. Group leader Alexander Hoffmann reiterated, "As long as the state of Israel faces an existential threat, Germany will continue to provide arms" [3]. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) echoed this sentiment, unequivocally favoring continued arms exports, stating, "Our state interest towards Israel dictates our actions" [3].

Previously, Wadephul indicated that arms deliveries would hinge on a legal review of Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip. "Based on this review, we will approve further arms deliveries if necessary," he said, which caused controversy within the Union [1].

The issue of German arms deliveries to Israel has been the subject of ongoing discussions. A lawsuit, filed by the Latin American country of Nicaragua against Germany at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, alleges that Germany aids and abets genocide through its arms exports [4]. In late April 2024, the judges dismissed an urgent application to halt deliveries, yet declined to dismiss Nicaragua's lawsuit outright [4].

Defense policy spokesman for the Left, Ulrich Thoden, has called for an immediate halt to all arms exports by the Federal Republic of Germany to Israel. Thoden argued, "The continued provision of arms could make Germany complicit in violations of international law" [4].

[1] https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/bundestag-union-ablehnt-waffen-embargo-fuer-israel-aufforderung-zu-nehmlichen-folgen-nichts-an/27084690.html[2] https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-arms-exports-to-israel-draw-concerns-over-gaza-conflict/a-62025711[3] https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/germany-waffenausfuhrung-israel-101.html[4] https://www.huffingtonpost.de/entry/nicaragua-klage-germany-international-court-of-justice_de_625064c9e4b02dddf2f7f66b[5] https://www.focus.de/politik/bundesregierung/gregor-gysi-siegt-in-tumultuosen-plenumssitzung-scharfe-kritik-an-izza-regierung_id_7518213.html

  1. Despite the ongoing debates about German arms deliveries to Israel, the Union faction in the Bundestag, including Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and parliamentary business manager Steffen Bilger, agrees that halting arms exports or imposing sanctions is not under consideration, given Israel's threats from conflicts in Gaza, Yemen, and Iran.
  2. As the German government continues to approve weapons and military equipment exports to Israel worth around €485 million, Defense policy spokesman for the Left, Ulrich Thoden, has demanded an immediate halt, suggesting that further arms deliveries could make Germany complicit in violations of international law.

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