Criticism of arms exports: Beck warns Merz of loss of solidarity with Israel

Criticism of arms exports: Beck warns Merz of loss of solidarity with Israel

In Germany, the debate about Israeli warfare in Gaza is growing, which was triggered by the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. In this context, Volker Beck, President of the German-Israeli Society (DIG), expresses understanding for Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has difficulty finding a clear course in German Israel policy in the European environment. However, Beck warns of a possible disclosure of solidarity with Israel.

Merz has criticized the Israeli military strategy and demands an increase in humanitarian aid deliveries in the Gaza Strip. Foreign Minister Johann WadePhul (CDU) establishes a clear connection between arms deliveries and humanitarian international law, emphasizing that Germany is maintained military support for Israel.

criticism of arms exports

In the past few months, the federal government's arms exports have risen to Israel. Arms exports worth almost 500 million euros have been approved since October 7, 2023. These exports included a variety of materials, but 75 % of Germans now have concerns and reject arms deliveries to Israel. Beck criticizes the German perspective on the asymmetrical war and calls for a differentiated view of the complex situation in the Gaza Strip.

The Dig position paper emphasizes the importance of compliance with international law and hardens the demands for proportionality in Israeli military operation. At the same time, the Dig concern about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, which is described as catastrophic, expresses and welcomes the resumption of auxiliary deliveries. Beck regrets the numerous civilian victims and points out that Hamas has started the war and that the initiative is in their hands to terminate the conflict.

arms exports in the context of international law

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has assured in the Bundestag that Germany would continue to deliver weapons to Israel, although in 2023 only limited permits were issued due to an export stop between March and August. This phase was used to look for legal protection, since humanitarian international law in Gaza was allegedly violated.

Although the approvals for armaments were significantly increased after October 7, 2023, there was still a decline in the approved war weapons, with this category only two percent of exports after the attack. Germany still remains one of the most important arms suppliers for Israel, only behind the USA.

The Federal Government demands a clause for the use of German weapons compliant with international law. This is intended to ensure that no German weapons are used for acts contrary to international law. In view of ongoing lawsuits against Germany for possible aid to genocide, the situation is particularly precarious.

BECK and DIGS DIG suggest a ceasefire as a possible intermediate step to peace, but emphasize that negotiations with Hamas should not be considered. The civil victims and the humanitarian crisis must be addressed as soon as possible to relax the situation.