Germany’s foreign minister on Tuesday issued a sharp warning to Israel, saying Berlin would consider taking unspecified measures and would not export weapons that could be used to violate humanitarian law. The comments, made alongside Chancellor Friedrich Merz, marked the country’s strongest public criticism yet of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Germany, traditionally one of Israel’s staunchest allies alongside the United States, has supported its conduct since the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October 2023. However, its position is shifting as international scrutiny of Israel intensifies. The European Union is reassessing its policy on Israel, while countries like Britain, France, and Canada have also warned of “concrete actions” over the Gaza crisis.
In an interview with broadcaster WDR, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul cautioned that Germany’s historical commitment to Israel must not be misused. He cited massive air strikes and dire shortages of food and medicine, describing the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “unbearable.”
Earlier the same day, Merz stated during a press conference in Finland that Israel’s air strikes on Gaza could no longer be justified by its need to combat Hamas. He said the scale of the bombardments had become “no longer comprehensible.”
Although the statements do not signal a full break in relations, the change in tone is notable in a country where support for Israel is enshrined in the Staatsräson—Germany’s post-Holocaust doctrine of special responsibility for Israel’s security.
The shift also mirrors growing public unease within Germany.
“Our committed fight against anti-Semitism and our full support for the right to exist and the security of the state of Israel must not be instrumentalised for the conflict and the warfare currently being waged in the Gaza Strip,” Wadephul said.
He added that Berlin was now reassessing its next steps. “We are now at a point where we have to think very carefully about what further steps to take,” he said, without elaborating.
“Where we see dangers of harm, we will of course intervene and certainly not supply weapons so that there will be further harm,” Wadephul added, noting that no new weapons deliveries were currently under review.
This policy shift follows pressure from the Social Democrats, the junior partner in Germany’s coalition government, who have called for an immediate halt to arms exports to Israel. Supporters of the move argue that continuing such exports risks making Germany complicit in alleged war crimes.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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