Germany Doubles Arms Exports to Israel Amid Genocide in Gaza
Berlin (Quds News Network)- In the past eight weeks, Germany has approved arms exports to Israel worth approximately €31 million, more than double the value of exports approved during the first seven and a half months of 2024. This significant increase in military aid was revealed in a report by the German Ministry of Economics.
The report, submitted to the German Bundestag, shows that Germany’s total arms exports to Israel by mid-October had reached €45.74 million. Comparatively, as of August 21, 2024, the approved exports amounted to just €14.46 million.
It remains uncertain whether these exports include war-grade weapons, as the Ministry does not disclose specific details on arms exports due to the secrecy surrounding the decisions of the Federal Security Council. However, the report did mention categories of goods such as ammunition, bombs, and warships, though these could be parts or components rather than entire shipments of weapons.
No Ban on Arms Exports to Israel
The Ministry emphasized that there is no ban on arms exports to Israel, reiterating that each approval is granted on a case-by-case basis.
The increase in arms shipments comes after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s pledge in the Bundestag to provide more military support to the occupation state, following criticism from opposition parties. Representatives from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU) had accused the government of not doing enough to assist Israel with arms shipments.
Germany remains one of Israel’s most significant arms suppliers, second only to the United States.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock spoke about the importance of international law in arms deliveries to Israel during her speech in the Bundestag. She also pushed back against opposition claims, stating that support for Israel should transcend party politics and be seen as a fundamental principle of Germany’s national policy, regardless of which party holds power.
Baerbock said Israel has the right to kill Palestinian civilians, claiming that the resistance is hiding behind them, a claim repeatedly made by Israel without evidence.
Despite this support, calls from parties such as the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance for halting arms exports to Israel continue to grow, with some members advocating for a reassessment of Germany’s military involvement in the ongoing genocide.
