'Instead of supporting Israel's just war...': Netanyahu says German arms export halt 'rewarding Hamas'

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday slammed Germany’s decision to suspend arms exports to Israel over the ongoing Gaza conflict, saying the move would only strengthen Hamas.

“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,” AFP quoted Netanyahu’s office as saying in a statement.

The prime minister also conveyed his “disappointment” directly to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a phone call, the statement added.

Germany on Friday announced that it will suspend exports of weapons that could be used in the Gaza Strip, marking the first time since reunification that Berlin has publicly acknowledged curbing military support to its close ally Israel.

The shift, announced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, comes amid growing public pressure and demands from his junior coalition partner over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Israel has sharply restricted access to food, water, and other essentials.

In a statement, Merz reiterated Germany’s support for Israel’s right to target Hamas and secure the release of hostages but warned that Israel’s expanded military plans “make it increasingly difficult to see how these goals can be achieved.”

Germany is Israel’s second-largest arms supplier after the United States and has historically backed the country as part of its post-Holocaust policy of “Staatsraison” — a state commitment to Israel’s security.

However, a June opinion poll showed shifting public sentiment, with 73% of Germans supporting tighter controls on arms exports, and nearly a third backing a complete ban.

With inputs from agencies