Contrary to the European trend, Germany has increased its arms exports to Israel in the second half of the year.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Germany, which has longstanding historical ties with Israel, became Europe’s largest arms supplier to Israel between 2019 and 2023.
The first few months of this year saw a decrease in export licenses, reportedly due to rising civilian casualties during Israel’s military actions in Gaza and Lebanon. However, since August, the German government has approved arms exports valued at €94.05 million, as reported by dpa on Thursday, citing the German Foreign Ministry.
This amount is more than double the €45.74 million in exports from the beginning of the year to October 13, according to data provided by the Economics Ministry to the Bundestag’s economic committee last week.
Germany’s increased exports come at a time when other EU countries are moving to reduce arms supplies to Israel. Two weeks ago, French President Emmanuel Macron called for an end to arms exports used in the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, even though France is not a major supplier. Italy and Spain, two of Israel’s top 10 suppliers, have stopped signing new export contracts, while the UK has suspended export licenses for military operations in Gaza.
Did Germany seek assurances?
Last year, the German government approved arms exports to Israel worth €326.5 million. Most of the export licenses were granted immediately following Operation Aqsa Flood on October 7.
However, government data shows that only €14.42 million worth of deliveries were approved between January and August 21.
During a parliamentary debate earlier this month, the main opposition party, the CDU, accused Chancellor Olaf Scholz of tacitly halting exports to Israel. In response, Scholz stated that Germany “has supplied weapons and will continue to supply weapons,” adding that decisions had been made to “ensure further deliveries in the near future.”
Investigations by the Bild newspaper revealed that Green ministers in Germany’s coalition government temporarily halted new arms exports to Israel in March over concerns about compliance with international law. The German government had requested written assurances from Israel that the weapons would be used in accordance with international law. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock recently confirmed that such a letter had been received.
