German Foreign Minister pledges further arms aid to Israel

"Germany will continue to support the state of Israel, including with arms deliveries," said the Christian Democrat during a questioning of the German government in the Bundestag. Such aid is necessary in view of the terror of the Islamist Hamas as well as the attacks by the pro-Iranian Houthi militia from Yemen or the Hezbollah militia from Lebanon.

Wadephul's comments in the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" newspaper, in which he made arms deliveries dependent on a review of Israel's military action in the Gaza Strip under international law, also caused irritation in his own ranks.

According to Parliamentary Secretary Steffen Bilger, the executive committee of the Christian Democrats' parliamentary group then agreed with Wadephul on Monday that "criticism among friends" of Israel should be voiced, but that conclusions for arms deliveries or sanctions were not on the agenda.

Wadephul: International humanitarian law also applies to arms deliveries

In response to a corresponding question from the Green Party, the Minister said that the coalition stands united on the side of Israel. However, the fact that German policy is also guided by international humanitarian law "applies to all policy areas, including, of course, the area of arms deliveries".

When asked what impact this would have on arms export policy, the Minister once again referred to the Federal Security Council, which meets in secret and decides on arms deliveries.

In his opening statement, Wadephul reiterated that the security of the State of Israel is part of Germany's raison d'être. This does not exclude "that we also have points of criticism and points of reference among friends". However, the focus must always be on: "What happened to Jews at German hands in the last century has not been forgotten. Never again is now."

Visit to the Holocaust memorial planned

On Thursday, Wadephul plans to visit the Holocaust memorial with his Israeli colleague Saar and lay a wreath there. The memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe was opened to the public in May 2005. The field of stelae and an underground information point near the Brandenburg Gate commemorate the approximately six million Jews murdered under the rule of National Socialism.

Political talks and a press conference are planned for later. Wadephul had already met Saar on May 11 for his inaugural visit to Israel.