Particle.news
Download on the App Store
62 ARTICLES
·
last mo.

Merz Enforces Arms Embargo on Gaza War as CDU/CSU Rift Widens

Chancellor Merz suspended weapons deliveries for Gaza operations over humanitarian concerns, triggering sharp backlash from conservative MPs that prompted a scheduled CDU/CSU foreign policy debate.

Image
Angehörige und Unterstützer von israelischen Geiseln, die im Gazastreifen von der Terrororganisation Hamas festgehalten werden, nehmen an einer Kundgebung in Tel Aviv teil
Image
Image

Overview

  • Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a halt to all German arms exports that could be used in Gaza following Israel’s plan to seize Gaza City, marking a reversal of Germany’s longstanding support for Israeli self-defense.
  • The embargo remains in force under the federal government’s backing, with SPD Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil endorsing it as an expression of solidarity tempered by naming Israeli wrongs.
  • CDU foreign policy expert Norbert Röttgen defended the decision as an inevitable response to Israel’s expanded operations; CSU figures such as Stephan Mayer and Stephan Pilsinger criticized it for undermining bilateral security cooperation.
  • Conservative MPs such as Carsten Müller condemned the embargo for jeopardizing Germany’s strategic partnership with Israel and NATO, labeling it a serious error and calling for a clear distinction between offensive and defensive arms.
  • Union foreign policy working group members will meet via videoconference on Sunday to address the rift, even as Kanzleramtsminister Thorsten Frei stressed that core German Israel policy remains unchanged and that air and missile defenses are still supported.