The flags of Israel and Germany fly in front of the Berlin House of Representatives on January 26, 2022 | File Photo: Jens Kalaene/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa
Berlin: Germany will lift its partial embargo on weapons exports to Israel as of November 24, reversing a decision taken in August in response to Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Government spokesman Stefan Kornelius told dpa that the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which has been in effect since October 10, is a key reason for lifting the ban.
Kornelius said the ceasefire had “stabilised in recent weeks.”
The spokesman also cited efforts to achieve a lasting peace and increase the flow of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
The German government is set to “generally return to examining each case individually and respond to further developments” when it comes to arms exports, he said.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said that the decision was “responsible and correct” given that the government was now assuming the ceasefire was sustainable.
Speaking to journalists during a visit to the Montenegrin capital Podgorica, he said that the German government’s decision was the result of extensive discussions, closely involving the Foreign Office and him personally.
“We are now returning to case-by-case decisions and will monitor the situation on the ground at all times,” he added.
Contentious decision by Merz
In early August, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a suspension of exports of arms to Israel that could be used in the Gaza Strip “until further notice,” marking a major shift in German foreign policy.
The move came hours after the Israeli government’s decision to expand military operations in Gaza, and marked a significant departure for Berlin, which has been one of Israel’s strongest supporters since the unprecedented October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas terrorists.
Merz’s decision caused considerable friction within his own conservative bloc, partly because Merz had discussed it with his deputy, Lars Klingbeil from the Social Democrats, but not the leadership of the conservative faction in parliament.
Israel also criticized the move, saying Merz had been swayed by outside influences and was rewarding Hamas.
Israel wants others to follow the German move
On Monday Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar welcomed the change of course.
“I call on other governments to adopt similar decisions, following Germany,” he wrote on X.
The German government has not approved any actual authorisations for weapons exports since the spring.
The announcement on Monday may however mean that Israel can now purchase engines for its Merkava tanks, which are produced by the German company Renk.
After the terrorist attacks of October 7, the German government initially increased arms exports to Israel to show its solidarity. Germany has traditionally seen itself as having a special responsibility for Israel’s security, following the crimes against Jews during the Holocaust.
The previous government of then chancellor Olaf Scholz issued export licences worth almost half a billion euros in total until his administration came to an end on May 6, 2025.
Merz’s government has continued to allow the export of military equipment to Israel, but only to a more limited extent.
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