Germany To Resume Selling Weapons To Israel After Brief Suspension Over Gaza
BERLIN, Nov 17 (Reuters) – Germany moved on Monday to restart arms sales to Israel suspended since August due to the war in Gaza, but said the decision was conditioned on respecting the ceasefire and providing large-scale humanitarian aid.
Germany, the second largest arms exporter to Israel after the United States, announced the suspension of some arms exports to Israel in August due to increasing public pressure for war.
The decision affected weapons and systems that could be used in Gaza, but did not affect other weapons and systems deemed necessary for Israel to defend itself against external attack.
A German government spokesman said on Monday that Berlin will lift the suspension order on November 24 and return to examining arms exports to Israel on a case-by-case basis, while continuing to monitor developments on the ground.
Humanitarian aid must continue ‘on a large scale’
Halil Sağırkaya/Anadolu via Getty Images
A second government spokesman said the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas “formed the basis for this decision and we expect everyone to abide by the agreements made, including the continuation of the ceasefire.”
“This also means that humanitarian aid is being provided on a large scale and the process is continuing in an orderly manner as agreed,” the spokesman said.
The spokesman said Germany remains committed to supporting a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians on the basis of a two-state solution and will continue to support reconstruction in Gaza.
Germany is one of Israel’s staunchest supporters, not least because of its historical culpability in the Nazi Holocaust – a policy known as “Staatsraison.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz came under intense criticism from his own conservatives for his decision to partially suspend deliveries, which he said was a reaction to Israel’s plan at the time to expand operations in Gaza.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Germany provided 30% of Israel’s major arms imports in 2019-2023, especially the Sa’ar 6-class frigates (MEKO A-100 Light Frigates) used in the Gaza war.
Israel calls on others to follow
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On X, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar praised Germany for its decision to lift the order.
“I call on other governments to make similar decisions after Germany,” he wrote.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the decision, in which his ministry was closely involved, was “responsible and correct” and that the ceasefire appeared sustainable.
