Germany German armaments sold to Israel for almost half a billion euros
Since the Hamas terrorist attack almost 20 months ago, Germany has approved almost half a billion euros worth of arms exports to Israel. It remains to be seen whether the new government will continue this practice.
03.06.2025, 04:50
SDA
From October 7, 2023 to May 13, 2025, the delivery of weapons and military equipment worth 485.1 million euros to Israel was permitted, according to an answer from the Ministry of Economics to a question from the left-wing parliamentary group, which was made available to the German news agency DPA.
It is not clear from the letter from State Secretary Bernhard Kluttig whether the new government of the CDU/CSU and SPD also issued export licenses after taking office on 6 May. The German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul recently questioned further licenses in an interview with the "Süddeutsche Zeitung".
It is being examined "whether what is happening in the Gaza Strip can be brought into line with international humanitarian law", said the CDU politician. "Based on this examination, we will authorize further arms deliveries if necessary." When asked whether this could also lead to arms deliveries not being approved, Wadephul confirmed: "That's what the wording says."
Action at the International Court of Justice
There have been discussions about German arms deliveries to Israel for months. A lawsuit by the Latin American country Nicaragua is pending at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, accusing Germany of aiding and abetting genocide due to the arms exports. At the end of April 2024, the judges rejected an urgent application to stop the deliveries. However, they did not grant Germany's request to reject Nicaragua's lawsuit in its entirety.
Left-wing defense politician Ulrich Thoden called for an immediate halt to all arms deliveries to Israel. "Otherwise it could be guilty of aiding and abetting crimes under international law."
