Germany abandons from arms export to Israel and breaks with decades of German Israel politics

A few hours after the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also announced to also occupy Gaza City, the press officer of Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) sent an e-mail: “Under these circumstances, the government will not consent further export of equipment and weapons that could be used in Gaza,” said the statement of the statement of the statement of the statement of the statement of the statement of the statement of the statement of the statement of the statement of the statement of the statement of the statement of the statement of the statement of the statement of the statement of the statement of the statement of the statement of the statement of the statement of the statement of the statement of the statement of the statement of the statement of friedrich, “said the statement of friedrich. According to the statement, the Merz government does not see how the Israeli decision to “act even harder militarily in the Gaza Strip” contributes to a truce or freeing the hostages, two things that should have a priority according to Merz.

After weeks of speculation about the steps that the government in Berlin would take opposite Israel, and visibly hesitating ministers for weeks, Merz quickly crossed the bridge with the arms embargo on Friday. The measure is a break with the German Israel politics of the past decades, in which Germany joined Israel’s side without any reservation. Since October 7, 2023 to May of this year, Germany exported almost half a billion euros in weapons and other equipment (including tank parts) to Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu called the decision of Germany a “reward for the terror of Hamas”.

Even if Merz only speaks of an embargo on weapons that can be used in Gaza in the statement alone, experts assume that for the time being nothing will be delivered to Israel because its deployment cannot be checked. The deliveries of weapons and equipment had already been considerably reduced in recent months.

‘Dirty work’

In Politiek Berlin it was expected that the cabinet would decide on Wednesday about sanctions in a European context, but the subject was parked because there was no agreement on it in the coalition of CDU/CSU and SPD. The SPD has been demanding a harder course opposite Israel for a few weeks (although from former SPD-Chances strim Olaf Scholz, in the office until May of this year, almost no criticism could be heard on the Israeli government). But the CDU and the Bavarian sister party CSU are divided: within the CDU there were pronounced voices in front and against sanctions, the CSU ministers were reportedly against.

Zoom in

With his decision on Friday, Merz Zusterpartij CSU, according to Tabloid reports Bild and news agency DPA. Merz has circumvented the disagreement in the cabinet, to the likely great displeasure of CSU ministers and some CDU ministers.

Many CDU people and CSU people disagree with the Wapenembargo, it turned out shortly after Merz ‘decision. CSU-Bundestag member Stephan Pilsinger wrote on X that “the safety of Israel opposite his numerous enemies is certainly not improving”. The youth organization of the CDU/CSU called the decision on Instagram “a break with the principles” of the party. The chairman of the youth organization, Johannes Winkel, wrote on X that “Israel does the dirty work for us, but from today without German weapons.” Previously, Chancellor Merz had called the Israeli attack on Iran the “dirty work.”

Remarkably quiet

Other parties also criticized: the liberal FDP, who did not reach the electoral threshold in the elections in February, called the decision a “highly exaggerated response” and a “reward for Hamas”. The German-Israeli association (DIG) called it “profit for Hamas in the global propaganda war.”

Coalition partner SPD supported Merz ‘decision. “The state of Israel has our full solidarity, but the wrong must be named,” said SPD chairman Lars Klingbeil in a cumbersome statement.

In recent weeks, the international and also social pressure on Merz has risen to no longer choose Israel’s side at all costs. Merz believes it is important to perform jointly in Europe, and a too isolated position in terms of Israel cannot afford Germany. According to a recent survey, a large majority of German voters also wanted Merz increasing pressure on Israel.

But within his own party and at the CSU, Merz will have a lot to explain in the coming period. For many CDU people and CSU people, the unconditional solidarity with Israel is a faith article.

The biggest opposition party, the radical-right alternative für Deutschland, still remarkably silent on Friday about Merz’s step, also because the party itself is divided over the Israel politics. But the extremely right -wing media already reported that Merz has definitively painted in the left corner with his decision – and thus releases the road for the AfD.

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