Overview

• Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Germany will, until further notice, halt approvals for exports of armaments that could be used in the Gaza Strip.
• High-profile CDU and CSU figures including Roderich Kiesewetter, Carsten Müller, Matthias Hauer and Boris Rhein publicly condemned the decision as a violation of party consensus and Germany’s special bond with Israel.
• CSU Vice President Andrea Lindholz and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt criticized the move as uncoordinated and warned it undermines Germany’s Staatsräson toward Israel.
• Merz said he did not act alone but must assume sole responsibility for the pause and declined to submit it to a party vote.
• A Stern survey shows about 74 percent of Germans support applying more pressure on Israel over Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, indicating public backing for restricting weapons deliveries.