Germany Resumes Arms Sales to Israel Following Gaza Ceasefire

Latest Developments

• Returning to a Case-by-Case Basis: Germany announced on November 17 that it would resume weapons sales to Israel that were suspended in August in response to Israel’s planned military operations in Gaza City. As the second-largest military exporter to Israel, Germany provides naval equipment such as the Sa’ar 6-class corvettes used by the Israeli Navy, as well as Renk-produced engines for the Merkava tank. “The government is returning to examining on a case-by-case basis the export of weapons and will react to further developments,” German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said.
• Israeli Foreign Minister Calls for Others To Follow: Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced on social media that he welcomed the revocation of Germany’s “partial ‘embargo’” and called on “other governments to adopt similar decisions.” Sebastian Hille, a spokesman for Chancellor Friedrich Merz, stated that restrictions will be lifted on November 24 but that it will be contingent on adherence to the October 10 ceasefire and the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Other countries that have suspended arms shipments to Israel to various degrees include Spain, which passed a “total embargo” in October, as well as Italy, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
• Israeli Military Sales to Germany: Merz has announced plans to build “the strongest conventional army in Europe” to defend against threats from Russia. According to The Telegraph, the plan earmarks 700 million euros ($811.6 million) for drones produced by the Israeli defense manufacturer Elbit Systems and 100 million euros ($116 million) for munitions for Germany’s fleet of Heron drones, produced by Israeli Aerospace Industries. German and Israeli intelligence agencies also share intelligence, which led to the arrest of several suspected members of a Hamas terrorist cell in Berlin planning to attack Jewish and Israeli targets in Germany. Under previous Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Germany approved the purchase of the Israeli Arrow 3 air defense system for $3.5 billion.

FDD Expert Response

“This is a wise decision by Germany. While the United States is a good partner to Israel and provides a vast majority of arms exports to the Jewish state, it is not enough. It is important that Germany stands beside Israel and the United States as they fight Iranian-inspired and resourced aggression on multiple fronts.” — RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, Senior Fellow and Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology

“Germany’s announcement shows its continuing commitment to the defense of Israel as a postwar Staatsräson — protecting the Jewish homeland as a ‘reason of state.’ As that relationship has evolved, it has become more of a two-way street, with Israeli companies providing Germany with vital military technology that is much needed in an era of renewed Russian aggression against Europe’s democracies.” — Ben Cohen, Senior Analyst and Rapid Response Director

“Germany’s decision in August to suspend weapons transfers was an error in judgment that likely encouraged Hamas to dig in its heels. Chancellor Merz’s reversal is welcome, but the possibility remains that Germany will again change course in the future.” — Justin Leopold-Cohen, Senior Research Analyst

“Hostility toward Israel reached a fever pitch during the Gaza war, but the German reversal is a welcome sign that viral anti-Israel extremism has been contained. Now, we will see if Israel’s public standing will return to its prewar status or if there will be a newfound acceptance for treating the Jewish state as a pariah and putting it on the same level as a genocidal terrorist group.” — David May, FDD Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

“Fifth Terror Suspect Arrested in Germany in Connection With Wider Hamas Europe Plot,” FDD Flash Brief

“Spain to Prevent Use of Its Bases for U.S. Weapons Shipments to Israel, Launch Probes Into Companies Advertising Israeli Products,” FDD Flash Brief

“Germany Suspends Arms Exports to Israel Following Gaza City Takeover Announcement,” FDD Flash Brief