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Merz stops arms deliveries to Israel: CDU in crisis!
Chancellor Merz stops arms exports to Israel, which leads to heated debates within the CDU. Bautzen's CSD is mobilizing again against right-wing extremists.
Merz stops arms deliveries to Israel: CDU in crisis!
On August 11, 2025, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz made a far-reaching decision: arms deliveries to Israel that could be used in the Gaza Strip will be stopped. This announcement not only shakes up the political landscape, but also has strong reactions within the Union - especially from the CDU and CSU, who are having a hard time with the Chancellor's new line.
The decision itself is not without conflict. Merz hit a nerve with this. The Junge Union speaks of a “passed-off reason of state”, while the CSU feels excluded. A special meeting of the group took place on Sunday to discuss the sometimes heated debates. As ZEIT reports, Germany's Israel policy is a central issue for the Union, which well explains the furore surrounding this decision.
Criticism from all sides
Criticism quickly came from within our own ranks. CDU security politician Roderich Kiesewetter described the move as a “serious political and strategic mistake”. In his eyes, the credibility of Germany's reasons of state is measured by security cooperation with Israel. Matthias Hauer also said that the restriction on arms deliveries was a “devastating signal” that could have serious consequences. CSU chairman Alexander Hoffmann described the decision as worrying and a departure from decades of foreign policy continuity. Horst Seehofer simply called it a “wrong decision” that could have long-term consequences, as the Tagesschau noted.
On the other hand, Thomas Röwekamp (CDU) defends the step as being taken collectively, which he interprets as not a break with tradition. Nevertheless, the question remains as to whether and how the starting position for Israel, which has already been criticized by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “reward for Hamas,” will change.
A daring step in politics
The decision also comes in a context where the federal government only expanded arms deliveries to Israel in October 2024. Despite the concerns of many Union members, Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil (SPD) expressed support for Merz's actions, emphasizing that the wrong things must be stated. The SPD is also in favor of further measures, including sanctions against Israeli ministers, thereby fueling discussion about the future of German-Israeli relations.
Finally, Josef Schuster, President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, spoke. He sees Merz's decision as endangering Israel's existence. These worrying voices intertwine with current events in the Gaza conflict and give additional weight to the debate.