Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Lebanese Health Ministry: 1 woman martyred, 11 wounded in Israeli strike on residential apartment in Nabatieh, South Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Four civilians injured in Israeli strike that targeted house in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, South Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launch strikes on regions of al-Mahmoudiyah, al-Khardali
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli aircraft execute series of strikes in Kfar Tibnit, South Lebanon.
Iranian ambassador in Beijing to Al Mayadeen: We hope that Europe and the US give up their illegal actions and authoritarian hegemony.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli shelling targets displaced persons' tent in Al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, casualties were reported
IOF storm Jalazone camp, north of Al Bireh city in the occupied West Bank
Israeli media: A severe incident reported in Gaza some time ago
Israeli media: Military evacuation helicopters are transporting injured soldiers from Khan Younis
Israeli media: A security incident has been reported in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip

Germans want suspension of military support to 'Israel': INSA poll

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 3 Jun 2025 17:37
4 Min Read

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has defended continued arms transfers, invoking Germany's so-called "historical responsibility" and repeating the widely challenged claim that "Israel" has a right to self-defense.

Listen
  • x
  • People cross Alexanderplatz, a square surrounded by warehouses and shops, in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
    People cross Alexanderplatz, a square surrounded by warehouses and shops, in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, April 10, 2025 (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

A fresh poll indicates that most Germans are in favor of pausing arms shipments to "Israel" amid the continued assault on Gaza. Conducted by the INSA polling institute on behalf of the global activist group Avaaz, the survey found that 58% of respondents support a temporary freeze on arms exports, while 22% are against such a measure. An additional 19% either chose not to answer or were undecided.

The survey, carried out between May 28 and May 30 with a sample of 1,001 individuals, coincides with growing public discontent and intensifying scrutiny of Germany's military support to the Israeli regime. The pressure has escalated amid the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, over 54,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, the majority of them civilians.

Policy Reversal

This shift in public opinion is mirrored at the political level. On May 27, Chancellor Friedrich Merz signaled a potential policy reversal, stating during a visit to Finland: "We are appalled by the terrible suffering of the civilian population. The massive military strikes by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip no longer make any sense to me in terms of how they serve the goal of fighting terrorism and freeing the hostages." He acknowledged that Germany's support for "Israel" would now be "discussed internally," offering no specific timeline for action.

The rhetorical shift represents a departure from the unwavering support shown by Merz's predecessor, Olaf Scholz, and appears to be part of a broader recalibration of German foreign policy, particularly as Berlin seeks closer alignment with EU partners and faces mounting criticism from both domestic constituencies and international actors.

Related News

'Israel' breaks arms export records in 2024 amid ongoing war on Gaza

Former Biden spox. Matthew Miller says 'Israel' committed war crimes

One such challenge emerged in March 2025, when Nicaragua filed a case against Germany at the International Court of Justice, accusing Berlin of aiding and abetting genocide through continued arms transfers to "Israel" despite clear evidence of mass civilian casualties.

Arming Apartheid

In response to the legal and moral pressure, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has announced a review of Germany's weapons shipments, stating that the government must assess whether the exports are compatible with international humanitarian law. "Israel must still be able to defend itself," he added, indicating the government may halt or limit specific exports. However, critics argue that this framing continues to prioritize Israeli military objectives over Palestinian lives.

In contrast, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has defended continued arms transfers, invoking Germany's so-called "historical responsibility" and repeating the widely challenged claim that "Israel" has a right to self-defense.

Palestinians and many across the Arab world reject this narrative, viewing "Israel" not as a legitimate state but as a colonial outpost established to suppress Arab liberation and obstruct regional self-determination.

Read more: Germany decries Gaza toll while fueling war with weapons to 'Israel'

Germany authorized €326.5 million in arms exports to "Israel" in 2023, marking a tenfold increase from the previous year. Even in 2024, as images of bombed hospitals and starving children dominated headlines, Berlin approved an additional €161 million in military exports, including €94 million between August and October alone. Rights groups have denounced these transfers as active complicity in war crimes.

Avaaz, which commissioned the INSA poll, has called for an immediate end to German arms shipments to "Israel", citing legal and ethical obligations under international law. The organization describes itself as a global civic network aiming to influence policy through grassroots mobilization.

  • Weapons to Israel
  • Israel
  • Gaza genocide
  • Germany

Most Read

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Iran declares victory as ceasefire forces Israeli retreat

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Iran launches strikes on Israeli targets, despite alleged ceasefire

Iran victorious as ceasefire with 'Israel' takes effect

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Iranian worshippers carry their country's flags in a protest to condemn Israeli attacks on multiple cities across Iran, after the Friday prayers ceremony in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP)

Iran warns of NPT withdrawal, Strait of Hormuz closure after US attack

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli occupation soldiers search for settlers amid the rubble of buildings destroyed by an Iranian missile strike in Bat Yam, central occupied Palestine, on Sunday, June 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran missile strike flattens Bat Yam, displaces 2,000 settlers

Palestinian fighters from the Islamic Jihad militant group riding on a truck with weaponry on display take part in an anti-Israel parade marking the 36th anniversary of the movement's founding, in Gaza City, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023 (AP)
Politics

Palestinian Resistance attacks Israeli forces in Khan Younis, Jabalia

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stands waiting to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for the talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, June 23, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran suspends IAEA cooperation, Araghchi blames Grossi for attacks

The commander of the Quds Force's Palestine Unit, Brigadier General Mohammad Said Izadi (Illustrated by Mahdi Rtail for Al Mayadeen English)
Politics

Who was Mohammad Said Izadi, head of the Quds Force's Palestine Unit?

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS