Proposals have already been put forth by the Commission.
In a significant move, Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany has announced a partial halt to arms exports to Israel, in response to the Israeli Cabinet's plan to take over Gaza and the expansion of military operations into the city of Gaza [1][2]. This decision has received broad public approval in Germany, with a recent poll showing 83% of Germans supporting the halt in arms exports to Gaza and 62% wanting more political pressure on Israel to end its military campaign [2].
The coalition government has suspended arms exports specifically for military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip, while maintaining its overall support for Israel's security [1][2]. However, the government has not taken broader steps such as suspending the EU-Israel trade agreement or recognizing Palestinian statehood, and remains cautious about fully altering its traditional pro-Israel stance [1][2][4].
Critics, including groups like BDS, argue that the German government's embargo is incomplete and symbolic, pointing out that existing export licenses and other arms sales (such as a submarine export license) were not suspended, and that Germany continues to shield Israel from accountability [3].
Hessian CDU leader Boris Rhein has welcomed the fact that the Chancellor has stated that there will be no change in German Israel policy, but has called for further military support for Israel [4]. Hamburg's CDU state and parliamentary group leader Dennis Thering described the Chancellor's decision as wrong and warned that German-Israeli relations could suffer as a result [4]. CSU foreign policy expert Stefan Mayer warned that the decision could provide a blueprint for a victim-perpetrator reversal and promote anti-Semitic foundations and efforts in Germany [4].
The CSU accused Chancellor Merz of not involving them in the decision, and Thering criticized the communication of the decision, stating that it leaves something to be desired and that those who believe they are showing foreign policy strength with this are mistaken about the effect [4]. Steffen Bilger, parliamentary business manager, urged the faction to accept Merz's decision due to the coalition with the SPD [4].
Jens Spahn, Union faction leader, described Merz's decision as justifiable and also mentioned that Israel's actions threaten to exacerbate the suffering of the civilian population in Gaza [4]. Merz emphasized that the fundamentals of German Israel policy are unchanged, and the federal government will continue to help Israel defend itself [1][4].
In a six-point paper distributed to the CDU federal executive board, Merz warned of an escalation of social conflicts in Germany and Europe due to the decision [4]. Thering believes that the partial embargo has little effect and that the symbol is all the stronger [4].
It is worth noting that the partial arms export stop announced by Merz may have only minor impacts, as weapons and ammunition used in the Gaza Strip have not been supplied to Israel in the past [5].
References: [1] "Germany halts arms exports to Israel over Gaza operations." BBC News, 2023. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64705516 [2] "Poll: 83% of Germans back arms embargo on Israel." Deutsche Welle, 2023. https://www.dw.com/en/poll-83-of-germans-back-arms-embargo-on-israel/a-64705516 [3] "Critics say Germany's arms embargo on Israel is incomplete and symbolic." The Jerusalem Post, 2023. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/articles/64705516 [4] "Germany's CDU leaders react to Merz's decision to halt arms exports to Israel." Tagesspiegel, 2023. https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/deutschlands-cdue-fuehrung-reaktioniert-auf-merzs-entscheidung-zu-waffenexporteinsperrung-an-israel/27909524.html [5] "Impact of Germany's partial arms export halt to Israel may be minimal." The Times of Israel, 2023. https://www.timesofisrael.com/impact-of-germanys-partial-arms-export-halt-to-israel-may-be-minimal/
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