erman Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced on Thursday that Germany will soon provide Israel with more weapons. This statement comes after significant criticism from opposition leaders over the sharp decline in arms exports to Israel this year, with some accusing the government of intentionally delaying shipments.
Speaking before parliament during a commemoration of the victims of the October 7 Hamas attack, Scholz responded to opposition leader Friedrich Merz, saying, “We have not decided to stop supplying arms. We have provided weapons, and we will continue to do so.” He added that the government has made decisions that will ensure more arms are sent in the near future.
Merz, leader of Germany’s conservative opposition, had accused the government of delaying arms exports to Israel, including ammunition and tank parts. He stated, “For weeks and months, the federal government refused to issue export licenses for ammunition, including tank parts.”
Merz further commented, “We are aware of several specific cases where the government withheld approval for equipment and materials urgently needed by Israel for self-defense.”
Data from the German Ministry of Economy showed that Germany’s arms export licenses to Israel dropped sharply this year, with only €14.5 million worth of weapons supplied from January to August 21. However, ministry data also revealed that in 2023, Germany approved the export of arms worth €326.5 million to Israel, including military equipment and weapons—a tenfold increase compared to 2022.
In response to the decline in exports, the German government stated that there is no embargo on arms shipments to Israel. Export licenses are issued on a case-by-case basis following a thorough review, considering international law, foreign policy, and security concerns.