Chancellor Friedrich Merz | Picture courtesy Council of Foreign Relations

 

Germany has announced a suspension of military exports to Israel, specifically those that could be used in the Gaza Strip. This decision comes as Chancellor Friedrich Merz expresses concerns over Israel's recent military strategy to seize control of Gaza City.

 

The export freeze signifies a significant shift for Germany, which has historically been a close ally of Israel. The German leadership is grappling with the complexities of supporting Israel while also addressing the escalating humanitarian crises in Gaza. Merz stated that the current Israeli approach makes it challenging to see how it helps disarm Hamas and secure the release of hostages held in Gaza.

 

Germany's defence exports to Israel have been substantial, totalling at least €485 million (approximately 18.1 billion baht) from the onset of the October 2023 conflict until earlier this year.

 

The exports included firearms, ammunition, electronic equipment, and specialised military vehicles. Despite the freeze, Merz affirmed Israel's right to self-defence but pointed out that it must take concrete steps towards a ceasefire and the hostages' release.

 

The policy shift is partly influenced by pressures within Germany's coalition government. Members, especially from the centre-left Social Democrats, have been pushing for increased diplomatic efforts regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

 

Germany remains one of the few European nations withholding recognition of a Palestinian state, maintaining that such recognition should follow negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

 

Amid these developments, Germany's foreign policy stance towards Israel has gradually hardened. While traditionally avoiding strong actions against Israel, Chancellor Merz's government has taken this bold step, reflecting growing international concerns.

 

Famine warnings from UN-backed assessments in Gaza have intensified the urgency of international humanitarian intervention, with German air force planes participating in aid drops to the region.

 

The German government has also expressed opposition to any potential annexation of the West Bank by Israel, urging restraint and promoting conditions that are conducive to peace negotiations.

 

The decision arrives at a time when international actors continue to navigate the delicate geopolitical landscape surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

 

This significant policy development highlights a potentially shifting German approach, balancing historical alliances with emerging humanitarian responsibilities.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from France 24 2025-08-09

 

Good. More countries should do this. Also makes more arms available for Ukraine and the upcoming conflict with Russia.

About time.

Fascinating how Germany seems to have more recollection of the Holocaust than Israel. Kudos to them for denying more genocide. 

 

 

German hatred of Jews continues.

 

Old habits die hard.

 

I suppose cutting off their ability to defend themselves agsinst terrorism is better than putting them in gas chambers though. That's progress. 

 

 

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

German hatred of Jews continues.

 

Old habits die hard.

 

I suppose cutting off their ability to defend themselves agsinst terrorism is better than putting them in gas chambers though. That's progress. 

 

 

Just because you hate Muslims in the UK, doesn’t mean you must support Israel, who also hate them.

20 hours ago, webfact said:

Germany has announced a suspension of military exports to Israel, specifically those that could be used in the Gaza Strip.

 

   Not really a big deal .

Israel will just buy from elsewhere or make themselves . 

Israel will just find other trading partners 

As long as America supplies them with anything they want its purely symbolic.

9 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Fascinating how Germany seems to have more recollection of the Holocaust than Israel. Kudos to them for denying more genocide. 

 

 

There is not a genocide.

Germany has nothing good enough for the IDF

4 hours ago, JonnyF said:

German hatred of Jews continues.

 

Old habits die hard.

 

I suppose cutting off their ability to defend themselves agsinst terrorism is better than putting them in gas chambers though. That's progress. 

 

 

 

Germany is a signatory to the UN Convention on Genocide and is therefore obligated not to give assistance to Israel’s Genocide in Gaza.

 

 

3 hours ago, Mike_Hunt said:

There is not a genocide.

 

But the lefties define "Genocide" is making people that support terrorism move to another country. Israel doesn't want them all dead, they just want them all gone. They don't care anything at all about the ones outside Israel.

 

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

 

Germany is a signatory to the UN Convention on Genocide and is therefore obligated not to give assistance to Israel’s Genocide in Gaza.

 

 

 

The war between Israel and the Gaza Government has nothing to do with genocide. Well, maybe if you change it to the people of Gaza want to commit genocide of the Israelis. 

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

 

Germany is a signatory to the UN Convention on Genocide and is therefore obligated not to give assistance to Israel’s Genocide in Gaza.

 

 

 

There is no genocide.

5 hours ago, Chris.C said:

Just because you hate Muslims in the UK, doesn’t mean you must support Israel, who also hate them.

 

Just because you hate Jews, doesn't mean you must support Palestine who also hate them.

8 hours ago, JonnyF said:

German hatred of Jews continues.

 

Old habits die hard.

 

I suppose cutting off their ability to defend themselves agsinst terrorism is better than putting them in gas chambers though. That's progress. 

 

 

Germany has been one of the most staunch supporters of Israel. But even in the eyes of their supporters Israel is going too far.

Israeli 'Defence' Forces: The new Nazis.

4 hours ago, stevenl said:

Germany has been one of the most staunch supporters of Israel. But even in the eyes of their supporters Israel is going too far.

 

Germans historically have not been huge fans of Jews.

 

It's no surprise that they support Israel's terrorist attackers. 

 

The left supporting this is no surprise given their history of antisemitism.

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

It's no surprise that they support Israel's terrorist attackers. 

 

Nobody is supporting hamas.

But why quoting my post, when you don't react to the content. All you do is repeating your own post, showing hatred for Europe.

12 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

Just because you hate Jews, doesn't mean you must support Palestine who also hate them.

Why do you say I hate Jews?
 

2 hours ago, stevenl said:

Nobody is supporting hamas.

But why quoting my post, when you don't react to the content. All you do is repeating your own post, showing hatred for Europe.

Yea, that stupid retort is all they have, rather pathetic. He’s an anti Muslim Tommy Robinson type.

3 hours ago, Chris.C said:

Why do you say I hate Jews?
 

 

Why do you say I hate Muslims?

11 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Why do you say I hate Muslims?

Do you like Muslims?
From your anti Muslim rants it appears you don’t.

4 minutes ago, Chris.C said:

Do you like Muslims?
From your anti Muslim rants it appears you don’t.

 

What a stupid question. 

 

Are all Muslims the same in your mind?

 

Please share these anti Muslim rants you claim I have made you rabid anti semite. 

7 hours ago, stevenl said:

Nobody is supporting hamas.

But why quoting my post, when you don't react to the content. All you do is repeating your own post, showing hatred for Europe.

 

I love Europe. 

 

Especially Spain. 

10 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

I love Europe. 

 

Especially Spain. 

A nation who’s culture, language, food is inextricably mixed with its long Islamic history.

 

 

Norway sells stake in Israeli jet engine group, to divest from more companies over Gaza war

 

Norway's $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund, the world's largest, said on Tuesday it expects to divest from more Israeli companies as part of its ongoing review of investments in the country over the situation in Gaza and the West Bank.

 

The fund announced on Monday it was terminating contracts with external asset managers handling some of its Israeli investments and has divested parts of its portfolio in the country over the worsening humanitarian crisis in

Gaza.

 

The review began last week following media reports that the fund had built a stake of just over 2% in an Israeli jet engine group that provides services to the IDF, including the maintenance of fighter jets. The stake in the company, Bet Shemesh Engines Ltd, has now been sold, the fund announced on Tuesday. Bet Shemesh did not respond to requests for comment.

 

Norway sells stake in Israeli jet engine group, to divest from more companies over Gaza war

On 8/10/2025 at 1:58 AM, Mike_Hunt said:

There is not a genocide.

There are certain people I have decided to stop interacting with on these topics. I think George Galloway summed it up well. 
 

 He was invited to a debate, he stormed out when he realized it was over the Israeli occupation of Gaza.
Predictably, he was labeled a bigot and an antisemite.

When he was invited to Oxford and asked by a student why he didn’t engage in a debate with the person in question, he explained it was futile and a waste of time. Why?
Because we already know the Israeli government is committing war crimes.
We know they are wrong.
We know they are committing to an occupation.
Do we typically convince other Zionists or apologists for Israel when we mention facts and data? No.

Galloway said it was the same reason he never debated apartheid when he was fighting against it in South Africa.
Why would we entertain a debate with someone who defends a racist and oppressive system? It’s morally wrong. End of story.

 

Our energy needs to be used not debating Zionists. It needs to be used in organizing a global movement to end the occupation and genocide in Gaza. That’s what needs to happen now. Debates are useless. We already have facts and logic on our side.

6 hours ago, Chris.C said:

There are certain people I have decided to stop interacting with on these topics. I think George Galloway summed it up well. 
 

 He was invited to a debate, he stormed out when he realized it was over the Israeli occupation of Gaza.
Predictably, he was labeled a bigot and an antisemite.

When he was invited to Oxford and asked by a student why he didn’t engage in a debate with the person in question, he explained it was futile and a waste of time. Why?
Because we already know the Israeli government is committing war crimes.
We know they are wrong.
We know they are committing to an occupation.
Do we typically convince other Zionists or apologists for Israel when we mention facts and data? No.

Galloway said it was the same reason he never debated apartheid when he was fighting against it in South Africa.
Why would we entertain a debate with someone who defends a racist and oppressive system? It’s morally wrong. End of story.

 

Our energy needs to be used not debating Zionists. It needs to be used in organizing a global movement to end the occupation and genocide in Gaza. That’s what needs to happen now. Debates are useless. We already have facts and logic on our side.

You are wrong.  There is no genocide.  You are nothing a mouth pieice to put HAMAS propaganda on the Internet. 

On 8/11/2025 at 8:55 AM, Chomper Higgot said:

A nation who’s culture, language, food is inextricably mixed with its long Islamic history.

 

 

 

Indeed. 1492 was a significant date. But I certainly love me some Paella when I visit my sister's villa near Valencia. 

 

The other poster disappeared when I asked him for an example of an anti Muslim rant I had made.

 

I will ask you the same question and look forward to the same result. 😃