Germany’s Chancellor Merz Greenlit the Shipment of Military Gear to Israel
Friedrich Merz. X/ @firstpost
June 19, 2025 Hour: 10:00 am
Between May 7 and June 10, military equipment exports worth nearly 4 million euros were authorized.
Since taking office in May, the German government led by Friedrich Merz has approved military equipment exports to Israel worth nearly 4 million euros (US$4.3 million).
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Between May 7 and June 10, military equipment exports totaling 3,985,861 euros were authorized, Germany’s Economy Ministry, which oversees such sales, confirmed in response to a question from Desiree Becker, a lawmaker with the Left Party (Die Linke).
“Nearly 4 million euros for military equipment to Israel—amid an escalating war and within just one month. Meanwhile, humanitarian aid to Gaza was blocked during the same period. This is irresponsible from a security policy standpoint and a scandal from a humanitarian perspective,” Becker stressed.
In recent weeks, some members of Germany’s governing coalition of conservatives and Social Democrats have criticized Israel over the dire humanitarian situation facing Palestinians in Gaza. At one point, Merz himself suggested that Tel Aviv’s actions might violate international law.
However, the German government has repeatedly stressed that Israel has the right to defend itself against threats and that its security is a “matter of national interest” for Germany. As a result, halting weapons and military equipment exports is not currently under consideration—at least not publicly.
After Israel’s first strike on Iran, Merz went even further, praising Israel’s “courage” in doing the “dirty work” of the West by countering the threat posed by the ayatollahs’ regime.
During the previous legislative term, the coalition led by Social Democratic Chancellor Olaf Scholz informally paused arms exports between March and October 2024. Economy Minister Robert Habeck noted at the time that military support for Israel had become more “reserved” in light of the situation.
teleSUR/ JF
Source: EFE