Germany lifts Israel arms embargo: What changed in Berlin?
With the ceasefire in place, even though violated at times, Berlin decided to lift the partial arms embargo it imposed on Israel.
TEL AVIV — With the Gaza ceasefire holding and only hours before an expected United Nations Security Council vote on creating an international stabilization force for the Gaza Strip, Germany announced that it will lift next week the partial arms embargo it imposed on Israel last August.
What happened: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s office said Monday that Berlin will resume weapons transfers to Israel starting Nov. 24. “The government welcomes the ceasefire in Gaza that came into effect on Oct. 10 and has stabilized in recent weeks,” said Merz's spokesman, Stefan Kornelius. He added that Germany is “returning to examining on a case-by-case basis the export of weapons and will react to further developments.”
The announcement followed a Sunday evening phone call between Merz and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu’s office said the two leaders discussed “diplomatic and regional matters,” without elaborating. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul visited Israel and several regional capitals earlier this month. After Monday’s decision, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar wrote on X: “I welcome Chancellor Merz’s move to revoke the decision regarding the partial ‘embargo.’ I call on other governments to adopt similar decisions, following Germany.”
Background: Germany introduced restrictions last August after Netanyahu announced on Aug. 7 that Israel intended to take control of Gaza City. A day later, Merz suspended arms deliveries, saying that while Israel had a right to defend itself against Hamas, “The intensified military action by the Israeli military in the Gaza Strip … makes it harder in the German government’s view to achieve a ceasefire and free the hostages.” He said Germany would not approve “any export of military equipment that can be used in Gaza until further notice,” stressing that securing a ceasefire and the release of hostages remained Berlin’s top priorities.
