Germany has stopped exports of weapons that could be used in Gaza against Israel. Merz Chancellor's announcement
The German Chancellor indicated a significant change in Berlin's firm support for Israel, stopping the export of military equipment that could be used in Gaza, while international partners condemned Israel to take control over this city, writes The Guardian.
Germany stops weapons exports to Israel, Merz AFP Merz announced
Friedrich Merz said on Friday that Israel has the right to defend Hamas and press for the release of Israeli hostages, which he emphasized as being “The greatest priority” of Berlin, along with “Firm negotiations for a armistice”.
However, he added that his government “considers that the military action even harder in the Gaza strip, recently decided by the Israeli office, makes it increasingly difficult to see how these goals can be achieved.
“Under these conditions, the German government will not approve, until a new notification, any export of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza strip.”Merz said.
He also stated that his administration is “deeply worried about the continuous suffering of the civilian population” in Gaza, adding: “With the planned offensive, the Israeli government bears an even greater responsibility than until now for their supply.”
After the devastating attacks of Hamas on October 7, 2023, Germany has strongly intensified its weapons exports to Israel. The German Parliament stated, in June, that between October 7, 2023 and May 13, 2025, export licenses were granted for military equipment for Israel worth 485 million euros.
On Thursday night, the Israel's security office approved a plan to take over the city of Gaza, marking a new climbing of the offensive for almost two years, who killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and triggered hunger in the territory.
In his Friday statement, Merz reiterated that Israel should allow “Full access for aid deliveries, including UN organizations and other non -governmental institutions”in order to “Continue the full and sustainable improvement of the humanitarian situation in Gaza”.
He added that Germany “Insistantly asks the Israeli government not to take additional steps towards an annexation of the Westordan”.
The public opinion in Germany has become more and more critical of Israel, as terrible images appear with hungry children and numerous civil victims in Gaza.
A survey conducted at the end of July by the Forsa Research Institute showed that almost three quarters of respondents believe that Berlin should exert more pressure on the Israeli government in relation to the catastrophic humanitarian situation.
The support for this position was the strongest among the Radical Left Linke (94%) and the green (88%), but also the majority of the voters in the ruling parties-the CDU/CSU conservative block and the SPD Social Democrats-shared this opinion, with 77%each.
Adis Ahmetović, spokesman for foreign policy issues of the SPD parliamentary group, welcomed Merz's announcement on Friday, but told Der Spiegel that the suspension of weapons “It can only be a step – others have to follow”including a possible suspension of Israel's commercial status within the EU.
