Germany suspends arms export permits to Israeli occupation

BERLIN, Sept. 27 (YPA) – The German presidency announced on Thursday that Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s decision last August to impose restrictions on arms exports to “Israel” has resulted in a complete suspension of arms export licenses.

According to a response from the German Ministry of Economy to a parliamentary inquiry submitted by Ulrich Thoden, a deputy from the Left party, no new weapons export permits to “Israel” were issued between August 8 and September 12.

Undersecretary Thomas Steffen clarified that the government’s decisions were made following a thorough evaluation of each case, considering foreign policy, security concerns, and legal obligations, while reaffirming Berlin’s commitment to its principles regarding Israeli occupation and its protection.

Recent data revealed for the first time that export licenses dropped to zero during the initial weeks following the implementation of the restrictions.

This move followed an earlier phase under Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s administration, which had increased arms exports to the occupation after the October 7, 2023 attack, granting licenses worth nearly half a billion euros until May. In contrast, under the new government, export licenses had been limited to military equipment valued at almost 3.99 million euros in the first five weeks.

AA