Politics Germany lifts arms export restrictions to Israel
After three and a half months, the German government is lifting the restrictions on arms exports to Israel imposed due to the Gaza war. This decision will take effect on November 24, government spokesman Stefan Kornelius told the German Press Agency (dpa).
17.11.2025, 10:20
SDA
He justified the lifting of the restrictions with the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which has been in place since 10 October and has "stabilized in recent weeks". He also cited the efforts to achieve a lasting peace and the increased humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip. When it comes to arms exports, Berlin will now "generally return to a case-by-case examination and react to further developments".
Kornelius emphasized that Germany would at the same time continue to work towards lasting peace in the region and would be involved in supplying the people in Gaza and in reconstruction.
Netanyahu sharply criticized restrictions
On 8 August, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz ordered that, for the time being, no more exports of armaments to Israel that could be used in the Gaza war would be approved. He was reacting to the increasingly aggressive actions of the Israeli armed forces. Up to this point, Berlin had gradually stepped up its criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, but had refrained from imposing sanctions.
In Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU and CSU), the decision caused massive irritation at the time. Merz had agreed it with the Social Democratic Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil, but not with the Bavarian CSU and the leadership of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag.
Sharp criticism also came from Israel. Netanyahu accused Germany of rewarding the Islamist Hamas for its terror with the decision. In a dpa interview last week, Israeli ambassador Ron Prosor again called for the ceasefire to be used as an opportunity to lift the export restrictions. It is "fine words" to say that Israel has the right to defend itself, he said. "But if Israel doesn't have the means, then it's problematic."
Israel needs engines for Merkava tanks
Now the German government is returning to its previous practice. "The announcement of August 8 on the export practice for certain military equipment no longer applies in view of the changed circumstances," explained Kornelius. However, this does not mean that all applications will be approved. The government examines each individual case.
The Merz government has not approved war weapons exports since last spring. However, it can be assumed that Israel can now once again purchase engines for its Merkava tanks, which are produced by the German company Renk.
Israel is a special case when it comes to arms exports
The German government's export guidelines generally prohibit the delivery of armaments to war and crisis zones. However, there are exceptions. These include support for Ukraine in its defensive struggle against Russian aggressors, and Israel is also a special case. Because of the murder of six million Jews in Europe under German Nazi rule, Israel's security is considered a reason of state for Germany. That is why, for example, the export of submarines to Israel is subsidized with taxpayers' money.
After the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Germany initially even increased arms exports to Israel to show solidarity. The government of then Chancellor Olaf Scholz issued export licenses worth almost half a billion euros until it was replaced on 6 May 2025. The current government also continued to allow the export of military equipment to Israel, but only to a limited extent.
Deliveries are a case for the judiciary
For some time now, German arms exports have also been a case for the judiciary. A lawsuit by Nicaragua is pending at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, accusing Germany of aiding and abetting genocide. Just last week, the Berlin Administrative Court rejected claims by several Palestinians citing the export ban. There is now a new basis for assessing these lawsuits.
