Germany halts military exports to Israel for use in Gaza amid outcry over Netanyahu plan
apnews.com
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says Germany won't authorize exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza “until further notice.”

BERLIN (AP) — Germany will not authorize any exports of military equipment that could be used in Gaza “until further notice,” Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced Friday, in a strikingly quick response by one of Israel’s strongest international backers to a decision by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Cabinet to take over Gaza City.

The move by Germany, which has previously stopped short of tougher lines against Israel’s government taken by some of its European Union allies, appeared likely to further isolate Israel in the wake of the controversial military takeover plan that has been decried by the United Nations and supporters of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.

It wasn’t immediately clear which military equipment from Germany would be affected. Asked by The Associated Press for details about which military hardware would be affected, the German government declined to comment.

  • gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    21·
    2 days ago

    Woah. That’s actually a huge move from Germany. They tend to be absolutely allergic to doing anything even remotely “unfriendly” towards Israel.

    Like, I get the reason, but the fact that they conflate Israel with Jewish people in general, and also that their “never again” seems to habitually include the quiet subtext “but only as it applies to Israel” at the official level, is deeply frustrating and baffling.

    This is a move in the right direction, finally.

    • Doorbook@lemmy.worldEnglish
      11·
      2 days ago

      And about 500-600k people dying, and many bullets in children bodies, and starvation as weapon of genocide , and destruction of hospital, schools and many citizen homes.

    • geneva_convenience@lemmy.mlOPEnglish
      14·
      2 days ago

      Let’s not praise Germany too quickly. They haven’t defined “could be used in Gaza” and might simply be doing this for PR.

      Or straight up lie and continue sending weapons to Israel like Canada and the UK

        • geneva_convenience@lemmy.mlOPEnglish
          7·
          2 days ago

          At this point it’s undeniable Germany fully supports the extermination of Palestinians. They blocked European wide sanctions despite the EU report showing that Israel is committing war crimes and violating the trade convention rules.

          The only thing that’s holding them back is diplomatic pressure and a balancing act of pretending the West cares about human rights and the rules based order.