Updated @ 12:57 PM EDT on August 8, 2025
BERLIN In a prompt reaction to Israel’s decision to increase its operations in the biggest city of the Palestinian territory, the head of the German government announced that Germany will cease shipping military hardware to Israel that could be utilized in the Gaza Strip.
“The even tougher military action by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, which was decided last night by the Israeli Security Cabinet, makes it increasingly difficult for the [German] Federal Government to see how these goals can be achieved,” Friedrich Merzsaid in a statement issued on Friday. “Under these circumstances, the German government will not authorize any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice.”
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Germany accounted for one-third of Israel’s weaponry imports between 2020 and 2024, second only to US arms shipments.
As the United Nations and Palestinian health authorities report increasing civilian casualties and restricted access to supplies in Gaza, Merz’s declaration comes amid increased public pressure in Germany to reconsider arms sales.
Merz urged the Israeli government to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “The German government remains deeply concerned about the ongoing suffering of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip,” stated the statement. “With the planned offensive, the Israeli government bears even greater responsibility than before for providing aid.”
Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, criticized the chancellor’s choice. “Instead of supporting Israel’s just war against Hamas, which carried out the most horrific attack against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, Germany is rewarding Hamas terrorism by embargoing arms to Israel,” the office of the prime minister said in a statement.
Germany, which has generally not taken as strong a stance against Israeli policy as some of the other European Union nations, is one of Israel’s strongest supporters and closest allies inside Europe. Merz frequently describes Germany’s diplomatic backing of Israel as its “reason of state,” or “Staatsr son,” a historical obligation to Israel’s survival due to Germany’s involvement in the Holocaust. This commitment makes Germany’s swift reaction to the Israeli decision on Friday an even more significant step.
The halt does not preclude further transfers of naval or missile defense systems that are unrelated to Israel’s Gaza offensive.
Merz cautioned Israel against “annexation of the West Bank,” however, indicating that his administration is keeping an eye on events outside of Gaza.
Copyright 2025 NPR
