WORLD NEWS FOR MONTENEGRO DIASPORA
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SOURCE DW- AUTHOR:M.J. GDNUS
The German government wants to partially suspend arms exports to Israel. Chancellor Friedrich Merz said this, explaining the decision by the Israeli government's announcement that it would step up military operations in the Gaza Strip.
Thus, the export of weapons that could be used there will not be approved until further notice, the chancellor said. The federal government remains very concerned about the suffering of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip, Merz added. His statement did not specify which types of weapons the export ban applies to.
The Israeli security cabinet has approved a plan for defeating Hamas presented by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It envisages the Israeli army taking control of Gaza City while providing humanitarian aid to civilians outside the areas where the fighting is taking place.
Almost 500 million euros for weapons destined for Israel
Merz said that the Israeli government now has an even greater responsibility for supplying the civilian population as part of the planned offensive, and that it must allow unhindered access for aid, including for UN organizations and other non-governmental institutions. "Israel must, following the right steps of recent days, comprehensively and permanently improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza," Mercz added.
According to him, the German government has also made an urgent request to the Israeli government not to take any further steps regarding the annexation of the West Bank.
Until now, the German government has refused to stop arms exports to Israel. In October last year, arms export permits were even extended. At that time, a coalition led by Social Democratic Chancellor Olaf Scholz was in power.
After the Hamas terrorist attack almost two years ago, arms exports worth almost half a billion euros were approved. From October 7, 2023 to May 13, 2025, Israel has been approved for the delivery of weapons and military equipment worth 485.1 million euros, as recently announced by the Ministry of Economy at the request of the Left parliamentary group.
Deputy Prime Minister Klingbeil welcomes the decision
Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Lars Klingbeil believes that the German government's decision is correct, because, as he says, "The humanitarian suffering in Gaza is unbearable."
The Israeli government, he said, bears great responsibility for the humanitarian situation in Gaza. "That is why humanitarian aid must now be implemented in Gaza as quickly and comprehensively as possible." Germany expresses full solidarity with Israel, but the mistakes must be clearly named, said Klingbeil.
Green leader believes the decision is too lenient
Francisca Brantner, the Green leader, has asked the government to take other measures. "Finally, the federal government is acting and stopping the supply of weapons that can be used in Gaza. I welcome that very much, but this can only be a first step," she said.
The fact that Israel wants to expand its military operations is a disaster for the civilian population in Gaza, but also for the hostages still being held by the terrorist organization Hamas, Brantner added.
"Chancellor Merz and his Foreign Minister Wadeful must now resolutely advocate for a political process." Serious pressure is needed to end the war and the humanitarian catastrophe, free the hostages and open up a political perspective: "Germany must no longer block decisive European action in this direction, but must take a leading role."
