Extensions and Assurances in Germany's Arms Deliveries to Israel
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- Wadephul announces additional weapon shipments to Israel
Amidst a shift in tone, Johann Wadephul, Germany's Foreign Minister, has pledged to proceed with further arms shipments to Israel, yet with a twist. In a previous conversation with the "Süddeutsche Zeitung", he tied the delivery of weapons to a legal study of Israel's military activities in the Gaza Strip. This stance, however, has earned him criticism within his own network.
In that interview, Wadephul stated, "We endeavor to understand whether the activities in the Gaza Strip adhere to international humanitarian law." He expanded, "Contingent on this review, we will, should the need arise, sanction additional arms deliveries."
When questioned on the implications of these statements for German arms deliveries to Israel, Wadephul remained coy in the Bundestag on Wednesday, offering no specifics. He simply declared that decisions concerning weapons deliveries by the Federal Security Council remain confidential.
Wadephul plans to discuss any potential criticism of Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar during his Thursday trip to Berlin. He sees Saar as a close contact with whom he can exchange such matter.
In the Bundestag, Wadephul was firm in his resistance to early recognition of a Palestinian state, a proposal presented by French President Emmanuel Macron. "We advise against it," said the Federal Foreign Minister.
According to Wadephul, the Federal Government's policy prioritizes a prosperous peace process in the Middle East. "Recognizing a State of Palestine, to which we are actively contributing, is better positioned at the process's end rather than the beginning," he asserted.
Interruptions occurred when Wadephul addressed the Bundestag during governmental question time, as a woman in the visitors' gallery shouted pro-Palestinian rallying cries. Security personnel promptly removed her from the hall. Bundestag President Julia Klöckner (CDU) explained that opinions are not permitted from the visitors' gallery, stating, "You occupy the visitors' gallery as a spectator and not a participant."
- Johann Wadephul
- Israel
- Arms Delivery
- Bundestag
- Germany
- Gaza Strip
- Berlin
- Yemen
- Hamas
- Hezbollah
- SZ
- CDU
Context:
- Germany, since October 2023, has sanctioned significant arms exports to Israel, totaling €485.1 million (approximately $554.3 million) by May 13, 2025[1][2].
- From October 2023 to May 13, 2025, Germany has exported various weapons, including Sabre 120mm turbobuster artillery shells and Mistral air defense systems, to Israel[1].
- The enrichment data indicates that Germany has approved substantial weapons shipments to Israel, but it also suggests that Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul may review and possibly restrict future arms deliveries based on Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip[5]. It is not yet clear, however, if Germany has actually halted further deliveries following the review as Wadephul mentioned approving further arms deliveries when necessary[5]. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
"Johann Wadephul, the Foreign Minister of Germany, has stated that further arms deliveries to Israel will be contingent on Israel's military activities in the Gaza Strip adhering to international humanitarian law, a stance he outlined during an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung. The discussions surrounding Germany's arms supply policy and legislation, as well as the overall context of war-and-conflicts and politics, continue to generate general news and debate in the Bundestag."
"Despite withholding specifics on the implications of these statements for future arms deliveries to Israel, Wadephul plans to discuss the potential criticisms of Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar during his Thursday trip to Berlin, demonstrating the ongoing importance of these issues in the realm of policy-and-legislation."
