SPD Lawmakers Push for End to German Arms Sales to Israel
(MENAFN) On Monday, several members of Germany’s co-governing Social Democratic Party (SPD) urged the government to stop sending weapons to Israel, condemning the nation’s harsh military operations in the Gaza Strip.
Adis Ahmetovic, the SPD’s foreign policy spokesperson, emphasized to a magazine, “German weapons must not be used to spread humanitarian disasters and violate international law.” He further noted, "Therefore, we call on (Benjamin) Netanyahu's government to be ready to agree to a ceasefire and return to the negotiating table."
Ahmetovic’s remarks were supported by SPD colleague Ralf Stegner, who declared, “The humanitarian catastrophe for the Palestinian civilian population and the Netanyahu government's violation of international law must end immediately and must not be prolonged with German weapons.”
Historically, the German government has made a special exception for Israel in its arms export policy, allowing weapons transfers for Israel’s security and defense. However, Stegner noted, “That is currently out of the question in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.”
SPD legislator Isabel Cademartori also warned that continuing arms supplies could implicate Germany in war crimes. “This could lead to Germany itself being prosecuted by international courts,” she cautioned. Cademartori urged the government to restrict arms exports, particularly suspending shipments of tank ammunition and spare parts.
In the first quarter of 2025, Germany authorized arms exports totaling €1.18 billion ($1.34 billion). Israel ranked 10th among recipients, with export licenses valued at €28 million ($31.9 million).
Germany remains a close ally of Israel, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz regularly highlighting Germany’s “special responsibility” toward Israel’s security, rooted in the country’s Nazi-era history.
Nonetheless, critics contend that Berlin’s unwavering support for Netanyahu’s government is eroding Germany’s global standing and isolating it diplomatically.
Israel currently faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over its conduct in Gaza, where millions of Palestinians suffer displacement and dire shortages of food, medical supplies, and other necessities.
Since October 2023, the Israeli military has maintained a brutal offensive in Gaza, rejecting international ceasefire appeals. The conflict has resulted in over 53,900 Palestinian deaths, predominantly women and children.
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