Bloomberg on Tuesday reported that Germany is weighing potential limits on arms exports to "Israel," citing concern over the worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza. The development marks a potential turning point in Berlin's historically unconditional military support for Tel Aviv and reflects intensifying domestic and international pressure.

Speaking during a visit to Turku, Finland, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the situation in Gaza demands re-evaluation. "We are appalled by the terrible suffering of the civilian population," Merz stated. "The massive military strikes by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip no longer make any sense to me as to how they serve the goal of fighting terrorism and freeing the hostages."

Merz noted that while Germany will continue to support "Israel," the scale of that support "will be discussed internally by the government." He offered no timeline or specifics, adding that decisions might remain undisclosed.

Policy Reversal

This shift in rhetoric follows Merz's recent assumption of office and signals a clear departure from the more deferential stance adopted by former Chancellor Olaf Scholz. It also comes as Merz seeks stronger alignment with EU partners, particularly as Germany recalibrates its positioning on Ukraine and faces increasingly strained relations with the Trump administration.

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"It seems to me that the time has come when I have to say publicly that what is currently happening is no longer understandable," Merz, head of the CDU, remarked.

Public sentiment in Germany appears to have shifted in tandem. A recent poll conducted by Civey for Tagesspiegel found that over half of the population opposes continued weapons exports to "Israel". That opposition is echoed inside the government itself.

"German weapons must not be used to spread humanitarian disasters and violate international law," said Adis Ahmetovic, foreign policy spokesperson for the Social Democratic Party (SPD), in an interview with Stern. Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil added that Berlin is actively considering "further steps," which may include reducing arms shipments or placing limitations on how those weapons can be used.

Complicity Reckoning

Germany's reluctance to confront "Israel" has long been tied to a narrative of historical responsibility rooted in the Holocaust, one that has been consistently weaponized to shield ongoing Israeli crimes against Palestinians from accountability.

But as Merz noted at a European policy conference: "Germany must exercise greater restraint than any other country in the world in giving public advice to Israel. But if lines are crossed, where international humanitarian law is now really being violated, then Germany, the German chancellor, must also say something about it."

Despite this rhetorical pivot, recent figures show that Germany has significantly fueled "Israel's" military campaign. In 2023 alone, Germany approved €326.5 million in weapons exports to Israel, a tenfold increase over the previous year. Even in 2024, amid growing scrutiny and legal appeals, Berlin authorized another €161 million in military equipment. Between August and October 2024, €94 million of that total was approved, sparking criticism from rights groups over complicity in violations of humanitarian law.

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

With images of bombed hospitals, starving children, and mass civilian casualties in Gaza dominating headlines, Germany's government now faces mounting calls to align its policy not just with historical memory, but with present-day moral and legal obligations.