Germany says will continue arms deliveries to Israel even as public wants stricter control

Germany will continue sending arms to Israel despite recent concerns over Israeli military actions in Gaza, the country’s foreign minister said Wednesday (June 4), reversing earlier signals that the government might reconsider exports.

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told a contentious session in parliament that Israel faces threats from Yemen’s Houthi rebels, Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia and Iran, adding: “Germany will continue to support Israel, including with weapons deliveries.”

The comments followed Wadephul’s own remarks last week, when he suggested Germany was assessing whether Israel’s military actions in Gaza comply with international law, a statement that drew criticism from lawmakers within his own CDU/CSU conservative bloc.

Wednesday’s parliamentary session was temporarily halted when a protester shouted slogans including “Free Palestine” and “No to genocide” from the spectator gallery. Security officers quickly escorted the protester out.

Wadephul is set to meet Thursday in Berlin with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar.

Public opinion favours stricter arms controls

The decision to maintain arms shipments comes despite significant public opposition in Germany. A survey published Wednesday found that 73 per cent of Germans favor tighter controls on arms exports to Israel, with nearly a third supporting a complete ban.

Since Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Germany has approved military equipment exports worth 485 million euros ($553.7 million), becoming Israel’s second-largest arms supplier after the United States.

Exports included firearms, ammunition, military components, special armored vehicles, electronic equipment, and specialized gear for Israel’s army and navy, according to figures from the German government published Tuesday.

Chancellor Merz’s criticism marks policy shift

The arms-export debate intensified last week when Chancellor Friedrich Merz publicly criticized Israel’s escalating airstrikes on Gaza, calling them neither justified nor comprehensible.

Merz’s statement and Wadephul’s earlier warnings prompted speculation of a potential shift in German arms-export policy, particularly toward possible sanctions against Israel. However, Wednesday’s announcement appeared aimed at dispelling uncertainty over Germany’s continuing military support.

Growing German discomfort over Gaza

According to a poll by German public broadcaster ARD, about three-quarters of Germans support Merz’s critical stance on Israeli military actions in Gaza. The poll, conducted June 2-3 among 1,292 respondents, also showed that 55 per cent reject the view that Germany holds a special historical responsibility toward protecting Israel due to the legacy of the Holocaust.

Just 13 per cent said Germany should unconditionally stand with Israel in Middle East conflicts, while 74 per cent opposed such unconditional support. Additionally, 63 per cent said they believe Israel’s military response in Gaza has gone too far, up six percentage points since a similar survey in August.

No legal challenges against Germany’s arms exports to Israel have succeeded, including a recent case brought by Nicaragua at the International Court of Justice.