Wadephul: review weapons exports to Israel
The German government is hardening its rhetoric vis-à-vis Israel and considering restricting German arms deliveries.
Berlin (dpa) - German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is planning to review and possibly restrict German arms deliveries in view of Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip.
Wadephul said that Israel should be allowed to defend itself - also using German weapons systems - against the threats it faces, for example from the Houthi, Hezbollah or Iran. “But another question is whether what is happening in the Gaza Strip is compatible with international humanitarian law. We are examining this.”
He described the aid deliveries reaching the Gaza Strip as just a drop in the ocean. “This is about ensuring basic human rights. The sick and the weak and children are the first to die,” he criticised. “Consequently we have changed our tone and as a next step will probably also change our political actions.”
Wadephul and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had recently hardened their rhetoric vis-à-vis the Israeli government. In their view, Israel has not kept its promise to ensure supplies to the Palestinian civilian population from 25 May via the new Israeli-American distribution system.