European Centre for Counterterrorism and Intelligence Studies, Germany & Netherlands – ECCI
Germany ups defence exports to Israel, bucking European trends
euractiv – Germany increased its arms exports to Israel in the second half of the year, contrary to European trends, amid claims that the government resumed suspended arms sales after receiving assurances from Israel that weapons would be used by international law. Germany, which has close historical ties with Israel, was Europe’s largest arms supplier to Israel between 2019 and 2023, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Fewer export licences were granted in the first few months of this year following a rise in civilian deaths in Israel’s offensive against Hamas and invasion of Gaza and later Lebanon. But since August, the government has given the green light to exports worth €94.05 million, dpa reported on Thursday, citing the German Foreign Ministry – more than double the €45.74 million worth of exports between the start of the year and 13 October that the Economy Ministry told the Bundestag’s economic committee last week.
This comes as other EU leaders are leaning towards reducing arms exports to Israel. Two weeks ago, French President Emmanuel Macron called for an end to arms exports used in Gaza and Lebanon, even though France is not a major supplier to Israel. Italy and Spain, which are among Israel’s top 10 suppliers, have stopped signing new export contracts, while the UK has suspended export licences for use in military operations in Gaza.
Did Germany ask for reassurances?
Last year, the German government approved arms exports to Israel worth €326.5 million. Most of the export licences were granted immediately after the Hamas terrorist attack on Israeli civilians on 7 October.However, according to an earlier government response to a parliamentary question, only €14.42 million worth of deliveries had been approved between January and 21 August.
During a parliamentary debate earlier this month, the centre-right opposition had accused Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) of tacitly phasing out exports to Israel. The chancellor replied that Germany had “supplied weapons and will continue to supply weapons”. The German government had taken decisions “that will ensure that there will be further deliveries in the near future”, he added.
According to investigations by the tabloid Bild, Green ministers in Germany’s coalition government temporarily halted new arms exports to Israel in March over concerns about international law. They had asked Israel for written assurances that the goods would be used by international law. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock recently confirmed “that there is now a letter” with written reassurances.
