The restriction on arms exports to Israel announced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) is controversial within the Union. CSU politicians criticized the decision on Saturday and said they had not been informed in advance. “Like many others, I was relatively surprised by the decision,” said Member of Parliament Stephan Pilsinger to the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper. Foreign policy experts from the Union are now meeting for a special session.
“It is unclear to me what this means: no weapons that can be used in the Gaza Strip,” Pilsinger continued. “De facto, this means that we can hardly supply any weapons at all anymore.” Pilsinger emphasized that security cooperation is also in Germany's interest.
The question must be asked, “What happens if the Israeli government turns the tables and we no longer receive support from Israel – be it in air defense or Mossad information on counterterrorism,” he continued, referring to the Israeli secret service. “At present, we benefit more from Israel in terms of security policy than Israel benefits from us.”
CSU foreign policy expert Stephan Mayer also sharply criticized the partial arms export ban. “I am convinced that Israel's security must not be weakened, especially now. A general export ban would deprive a democratic partner in an acute threat situation of the ability to effectively protect its population,” Mayer told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper.
He called for a clear distinction: “For me, it is crucial to clearly differentiate between offensive weapons and defensive systems such as air and missile defense,” he emphasized. “Such protection systems must continue to be possible – naturally after strict case-by-case review and in close coordination with our partners.” Due to Israel's plans to expand its military operations in the Gaza Strip, the black-red federal government imposed sanctions on Israel for the first time on Friday. Merz stated that “until further notice, no exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip” would be approved.
The decision initially met with approval within the parties of the black-red coalition. “This reaction is correct and has unfortunately become inevitable due to the recent decisions of the Israeli government,” CDU foreign policy expert Norbert Röttgen told the Rheinische Post newspaper. Approval also came from coalition partner SPD, which, however, called for more far-reaching measures.
Criticism was expressed by CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter, who described the decision in the online service X as a “serious political and strategic mistake.” CDU politician Carsten Müller also condemned the move “in the strongest terms” on X. He said the federal government was ignoring the ongoing threat to Israel from the radical Islamic Hamas and its allies.
On Sunday, expert politicians from the Union will discuss Israel policy at a special meeting of the foreign policy working group. Due to the parliamentary summer recess, the discussions will take place via video conference. The 14-member group is chaired by CDU politician Jürgen Hardt, with Kiesewetter as his deputy. According to the Bild newspaper, the meeting is scheduled to last one hour. Merz's foreign policy advisor Günter Sautter is expected to attend as a guest.
Criticism of the federal government's decision also came from the German-Israeli Society (DIG). Its chairman, Volker Beck, said in an interview with Bayern 2 that the decision contradicts the German government's stated goal of disarming Hamas. “How does the German government actually intend to implement the goals it has formulated in a statement on the decision?” Beck asked.
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