Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Tuesday issued a stern warning to Israel, stating that Berlin would not export weapons that could be used in violations of international humanitarian law.
He also hinted at potential future actions if the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz also expressed strong criticism, stating that recent Israeli airstrikes on Gaza are no longer justifiable under the premise of fighting Hamas and have become "incomprehensible."
These remarks mark a significant change in tone from Germany, a country that has long maintained a policy of unwavering support for Israel due to its historical responsibility stemming from the Holocaust.
The policy, known as Staatsräson, had underpinned Berlin’s consistent alignment with Israel’s security interests.
Speaking to WDR, Wadephul cautioned against misusing Germany`s commitment to Israel as a cover for military actions that contribute to the worsening conditions in Gaza, where shortages of food and medicine have become critical.
He emphasized that Germany must now “carefully consider” its next steps and reiterated that the country would not approve arms exports that risk further civilian harm. No new arms deals with Israel are currently under review, he confirmed.
The shift in position comes amid growing pressure from Germany`s Social Democratic Party, a coalition partner, which has called for halting arms sales to Israel to avoid complicity in potential war crimes.
It also aligns with a broader reassessment of Israel policy by several Western allies, including France, Canada, and the European Union.
