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
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: Gaza's hospitals recorded six deaths due to starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, all of them adults
Informed sources to Al Mayadeen: A new chapter in relations between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency will begin within the framework of the new law passed by Parliament

Germany weighs halting arms exports to 'Israel' over Gaza genocide

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Bloomberg
  • 27 May 2025 21:36
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

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.

Listen
  • x
  • AP
    German Chancellor Friedrich Merz talks to the media after a meeting with Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda at the Presidential palace in Vilnius, Lithuania, Thursday, May 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)

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.

Related News

Almost 60 UK MPs call for full ban on arms exports to 'Israel'

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

"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. 

  • Weapons to Israel
  • war on Gaza
  • Friedrich Merz
  • Israel
  • Germany
  • Gaza

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
An explosion seen during an Iranian missile attack on Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, June 13, 2025 (AP)

If Iran is attacked again, geography of response may change: IRGC spox

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

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