 |
| German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul speaks in Berlin |
Israel’s overnight raids hit Iranian enrichment plants and missile workshops. Iran fired drones back at Israel, raising fears of a spiral into all-out war . Wadephul, speaking in Berlin, said Germany must first see if Israel’s Gaza operations follow international law. He called the Gaza crisis “a test of our values” .
Chancellor Friedrich Merz voiced support for Israel’s right to defend itself but urged both sides to stop actions that might destabilize the Middle East . He held a security meeting and boosted domestic protection for Jewish sites and German travelers abroad.
Public pressure mounts in Germany. A recent poll showed 73 percent of Germans want stricter arms-export controls to Israel, with many fearing complicity in international-law breaches . Opposition parties and the SPD demand a clear policy link between weapons shipments and Gaza’s civilian safety.
Germany approved €326.5 million in arms exports to Israel in 2023, down half in 2024 amid legal and political hurdles . Exports include ammunition, special vehicles and electronic gear. Germany remains Israel’s second-largest supplier after the U.S.
Legal experts note Germany’s export law lets the government block sales if there’s a risk of rights violations. Wadephul stressed that “standing by Israel does not mean ignoring law” . International-law scholars warn of court cases at The Hague if Germany sends arms used in Gaza strikes.
Diplomats in Berlin say Wadephul’s cautious words aim to keep Germany’s Middle East ties balanced. He altered a planned trip to Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Now he’ll fly Egypt to Saudi Arabia, reflecting concern over fallout from Israel’s Iran raid .
In Brussels, EU partners watched closely. France and Britain also urged calm. EU foreign-policy chief Josep Borrell warned of “grave danger” from new hostilities . Germany, as EU’s biggest economy, faces calls to lead diplomatic push.
Middle East analysts say Germany’s pause signals Europe’s weariness with open-ended conflict. They expect Wadephul to tie future exports to Gaza cease-fire progress and credible UN investigations. Any delay could slow Israel’s planned arms modernization.
Israeli officials pressed Berlin quietly. A senior diplomat told Reuters that Israel respects Germany’s legal concerns but needs certainty on ammunition flow amid threats from Iran, Hezbollah and Houthi rebels .
Humanitarian groups applauded the review. Oxfam Germany said it welcomed arms checks tied to civilian safety. Yet they urged Berlin to push Israel and Iran toward urgent negotiations, not just shipment reviews .
Experts say Germany’s balanced line reflects its post-war pledge to Israel and its rule-of-law ethos. Merkel’s era saw steady support; today’s leaders juggle atonement for the Holocaust and peace-law commitments.
What happens next? Wadephul set no deadline. Any decision must clear internal coalition talks and legal review. Observers expect a government paper in weeks, not days. That pace may dim Israel’s hopes for swift arms boosts.
Germany’s stance could reshape European policy. If Berlin ties exports to concrete Gaza reforms, other EU states may follow. Conversely, a green light could revive criticism of Europe’s role in conflict.
Either way, Germany’s arm-export pause marks a turning point after decades of near-unqualified support. Berlin now signals that law, Gaza hardship and new Iran-Israel clashes together set its arms policy .