While Wadephul underlined Israel’s right to defend himself – “also with German weapons systems”, including against Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon or Iran – he brutally criticized the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where Israel was war against Hamas activists in reprisals for a violent attack in October 2023.
“Aid deliveries reaching Gaza are just a drop in the ocean,” he said. “It is a question of ensuring fundamental human rights. The sick, the weak and the children are the first to die. ”
“As a result,” added Wadephul, “we changed our tone – and we will probably change our political actions afterwards.”
Calls for a freeze on arms deliveries have gained ground in Germany – traditionally one of the most faithful allies in Israel in Europe – in particular social democratic legislators in the center-left. Conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz harmed his rhetoric but remains not committed to exports.
Germany authorized 326.5 million euros in arms exports to Israel in 2023 – a significant leap compared to previous years, According to Reuters. But in 2024, the approvals fell in half in the midst of increasing legal and political pressure at the national and international level.
The Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar is expected in Berlin next week.
