Senior ministers from Germany’s Green Party have blocked arms deals with Israel, halting the issuance of licenses for arms and parts exports since March, as reported by Bild. In a recent parliamentary debate, conservative leader Friedrich Merz claimed that Germany had not approved such exports for weeks or even months. However, Chancellor Olaf Scholz confirmed that weapons would continue to be supplied to Israel.
Sources revealed that Green Party ministers, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Economy Minister Robert Habeck, vetoed arms exports to Israel in secret security meetings. According to Bild, requests for exporting weapons and parts to Israel were frozen until assurances were made that German-imported weapons would not be used for genocide.
Following written assurances from Israel to the German government, Scholz announced the resumption of arms exports to Israel. The actions of the Green Party have raised eyebrows, particularly Vice Chancellor Habeck, despite a decline in popularity. The Greens’ stance on Israeli arms contrasts with their support for arms sales to Saudi Arabia and Turkey, countries with poor human rights records.
While arms exports to Israel have significantly decreased, sales to other countries have been approved, sparking debate and criticism within the German government.
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