German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Friday that Berlin was halting the export of military equipment that Israel could use in Gaza “until further notice,” a step that came in response to the Israeli cabinet approving plans to significantly escalate Israel’s genocidal war with the goal of taking over Gaza City.
“The even harsher military action by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, approved by the Israeli Cabinet last night, makes it increasingly difficult for the German government to see how these goals will be achieved,” the German leader said. “Under these circumstances, the German government will not authorize any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice.”
While Merz’s comments leave open the possibility of providing weapons to Israel that could be considered “defensive,” his announcement is significant since Germany is one of Israel’s strongest supporters and top arms suppliers, second only to the US.
According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), from 2019 to 2023, the US and Germany accounted for 99% of Israel’s arms imports, with the US providing 69% and Germany providing 30%.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took a shot at Merz on Sunday, saying the German leader “buckled” due to pressure. “I think [Merz has] been a good friend of Israel, but I think he’s buckled under the pressure of false TV reports, the internal pressure from various groups,” Netanyahu said.
Defending his decision on Sunday, Merz said he would still help Israel “defend itself” but that the German government couldn’t supply weapons that could be used in an offensive where hundreds of thousands of civilians could be killed.
“Solidarity with Israel does not mean we consider every single decision by the Israeli government to be good, or that we support it, even to the extent of providing military support in the form of weapons,” Merz said.
