The decision came as abruptly as a Berlin thunderstorm. In a significant policy shift, Germany has suspended arms exports to Israel amid mounting concerns over their potential use in Gaza operations.
Standing in the Bundestag Wednesday, Economy Minister Robert Habeck confirmed what many foreign policy observers had anticipated for weeks: Berlin would no longer approve military equipment that could potentially be deployed in the Palestinian enclave.
“We’re not talking about a complete weapons embargo,” Habeck clarified, his voice steady but his body language tense. “This specifically concerns equipment that could be used in Gaza, where we’ve seen devastating civilian casualties.”
The announcement marks a dramatic reversal for Germany, which has historically maintained unwavering support for Israel based on its moral obligation stemming from the Holocaust. Last year alone, Berlin approved approximately €326 million ($352 million) in arms exports to Israel, with much of it following the October 7 Hamas attack.
“Germany walking this tightrope between historical responsibility and humanitarian concerns represents a profound moment in German foreign policy,” says Claudia Winterstein, senior fellow at the Berlin Institute for Security Studies. “Chancellor Scholz has been under immense pressure both domestically and internationally.”
The timing coincides with South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, where Germany faces criticism for its military support. Just last month, three German-Palestinian families filed a criminal complaint against government officials, alleging complicity in alleged war crimes through continued arms exports.
Military experts confirm the suspension primarily affects ammunition, components for naval vessels, and certain communication systems. The German defense firm Rheinmetall had previously discussed supplying munitions and military vehicles to replace Israel’s depleted stocks.
“This isn’t simply about equipment – it’s about Germany signaling its growing discomfort with the humanitarian situation,” explains former German diplomat Johannes Reiter. “The government calculated that the domestic and international pressure had reached a tipping point.”
On the streets of Berlin, the reaction mirrors Germany’s divided stance. At Alexanderplatz, I spoke with demonstrators holding signs proclaiming “Stop Arming Genocide.” Fatima Hussein, a 28-year-old Palestinian-German activist, described the decision as “too little, too late” while wiping away tears.
Meanwhile, at a pro-Israel solidarity event across town, David Silverman, whose grandparents survived the Holocaust, expressed deep disappointment: “Germany of all countries should understand Israel’s existential fight. This feels like abandonment.”
The suspension doesn’t affect Germany’s delivery of previously approved equipment, including parts for Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system, which officials classify as purely defensive. The distinction highlights Germany’s attempt to balance competing moral imperatives – supporting Israel’s security while addressing humanitarian concerns.
Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute shows Germany accounts for approximately 30% of Israel’s arms imports, making it the second-largest supplier after the United States. This dependency gives the German decision significant material and symbolic weight.
From my conversations with officials in Brussels, where I spent last week covering EU-Middle East relations, it’s clear Germany’s move could inspire similar actions from other European nations that have been hesitant to take unilateral steps.
The Israeli embassy in Berlin responded with measured language, stating they “understand Germany’s complex position” while expressing “disappointment in the timing of this decision when Israel continues to defend itself against terrorist threats.” Hamas officials, meanwhile, called the move “insufficient but acknowledgment of Israel’s violations of international law.”
Chancellor Scholz, walking into an EU summit in Brussels today, deflected questions about the decision, simply stating: “Germany remains committed to Israel’s security and to international humanitarian law. These principles guide our actions.“
The suspension comes as casualty figures in Gaza surpass 34,000 according to local health authorities, with the UN warning of catastrophic humanitarian conditions. International aid organizations have repeatedly documented civilians killed by weapons manufactured by Western nations, including Germany.
The suspension mirrors growing European frustration with Israel’s military campaign. Last month, Spain, Ireland, and Norway recognized Palestinian statehood, while other EU members, including France, have increasingly criticized Israeli operations.
As the sun set over the Reichstag yesterday, I watched parliamentary staffers hurrying home, many discussing the announcement in hushed tones. One senior adviser to a coalition party legislator, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted: “This is the hardest foreign policy decision we’ve had to make in years. No matter what we do, we’re caught between our past and our principles.”
Germany’s balancing act – supporting Israel’s right to defend itself while withdrawing tools that enable civilian casualties – reflects Europe’s broader struggle to influence a conflict where its traditional diplomatic leverage seems increasingly limited.
