The German Government Halts Arms Exports to Israel in 2024
The German government has seemingly put a stop, or at least a pause, on arms exports to Israel since the beginning of 2024, despite denying any official change in policy. Figures from the German Economy Ministry show a decrease in approvals for arms exports to Israel following a Hamas attack in October 2023. While no weapons of war have been exported from January to June 2024, export licenses for weapon components and technology have continued on a much smaller scale.
Despite this shift, the Economy Ministry insists that there is no ban on arms exports to Israel and that each application is evaluated based on international humanitarian law. The decrease in arms exports to Israel marks a major change as Germany has been the second-largest supplier of arms to Israel for two decades. The government has faced legal challenges both domestically and internationally regarding its military support for Israel.
While the government maintains its support for Israel, the lack of transparency around arms exports and public pressure raises concerns about accountability and ethical considerations. With the German government keeping a low profile on its military support for Israel, questions remain about the future of arms exports in the region.