Arms exports for almost half a billion euros to Israel
Since Hamas’s terrorist attack almost 20 months ago, the federal government has approved arms exports for almost half a billion euros to Israel. From October 7, 2023 to May 13, 2025, the delivery of weapons and military equipment worth 485.1 million euros was allowed to Israel, as can be seen from a response from the Ministry of Economic Affairs to a request from the left faction.
It is not evident from the letter from State Secretary Bernhard Kluttig whether the new government of Union and SPD issued export permits after taking office on May 6th on May 6th. Federal Foreign Minister Johann WadePhul recently questioned further permits in an interview with the « Süddeutsche Zeitung ».
It is checked « whether what happens in the Gaza Strip can be reconciled with humanitarian international law, » said the CDU politician. « Aligned with this exam, we may approved further arms deliveries. » When asked whether this could also lead to weapon deliveries, WadePhul confirmed: « That says the wording. »
Lawsuit at the International Court of Justice
There have been discussions about the German armaments deliveries to Israel for months. A lawsuit from the Latin American country of Nicaragua is pending at the International Court of Justice in the Hague, which accuses Germany due to the arms exports of the aid for genocide. At the end of April 2024, the judges rejected an urgent request to stop deliveries. However, they did not correspond to the demand of Germany to completely reject Nicaragua.
The new armor race has started
The left-wing defense politician Ulrich Thoden called for an immediate setting of all arms deliveries to Israel. « Otherwise, she could be guilty of the aid for international law crimes. »
