Germany Halts New Arms Exports to Israel Amid Legal Challenges

Germany, the world's fifth-largest arms exporter, has significantly reduced its weapons exports to Israel in 2024, amid ongoing legal challenges and humanitarian concerns. This shift in policy comes as other European countries also reassess their arms export strategies towards Israel.

According to data from the German Economy Ministry, arms exports to Israel saw a dramatic increase from 32.65 million euros in 2022 to 326.5 million euros in 2023. However, this trend has sharply reversed in 2024, with only 14.5 million euros worth of exports approved from January to August 21. Notably, the "weapons of war" category accounted for a mere 32,449 euros of this total.

A source close to the Economy Ministry revealed that the German government has halted work on approving new export licenses for arms to Israel. This decision is pending the resolution of legal cases arguing that such exports violate humanitarian law. The government's defense in these cases, including one before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and another in Berlin brought by the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), maintains that no weapons of war have been exported under any license issued since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, except for spares related to long-term contracts.

The situation in Gaza has raised significant humanitarian concerns. According to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry, Israel's military operations have resulted in over 41,000 Palestinian casualties since October 7, 2023. The conflict has also led to widespread displacement and a severe hunger crisis among Gaza's 2.3 million residents.

The issue of arms exports has created friction within the German government. While the Chancellery maintains its support for Israel, the Greens-led Economy and Foreign ministries have become increasingly critical of the Netanyahu administration. This internal disagreement reflects the complex nature of Germany's historical responsibility towards Israel and its commitment to international humanitarian law.

Other European countries have taken similar steps to reassess their arms export policies. The United Kingdom recently suspended 30 out of 350 licenses for arms exports to Israel due to concerns about potential violations of international humanitarian law. In February 2024, a Dutch court ordered the Netherlands to halt all exports of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel, citing concerns about their use in attacks on civilian targets in Gaza.

The United States, Israel's largest military aid provider, has also faced challenges in balancing support for Israel with humanitarian concerns. Earlier this year, the Biden administration temporarily paused shipments of certain bombs to Israel but later resumed them, maintaining that Israel needs the capacity to defend itself.

Alexander Schwarz, a lawyer at ECCHR, which has filed five lawsuits against Berlin, suggested that the significant decline in approvals for 2024 indicates a genuine, though possibly temporary, reluctance to supply weapons to Israel. However, he cautioned against interpreting this as a conscious change in policy.

As the situation continues to evolve, the international community remains focused on finding a balance between supporting allies and upholding international humanitarian law. The ongoing legal challenges and policy shifts highlight the complex nature of arms exports in the context of ongoing conflicts and humanitarian crises.

"We are carefully reviewing all arms export applications in light of the current situation and our international obligations. Our commitment to Israel's security remains unwavering, but we must also ensure compliance with international humanitarian law."