BERLIN (Reuters) -Some 73% of Germans want tighter controls on arms exports to Israel, including 30% who favour a total ban, a poll showed on Wednesday, reflecting growing public unease over the government’s Israel policy.
Since Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, Germany has remained one of Israel’s staunchest allies and its second largest arms supplier, despite Israel’s increasing international isolation and rising criticism over its devastating war in Gaza.
Between Hamas’ attack and mid-May this year, Germany approved military equipment exports to Israel worth 485 million euros ($553.72 million), according to a response to a parliamentary inquiry published on Tuesday.
The deliveries included firearms, ammunition, weapons parts, special equipment for the army and navy, electronic equipment, and special armoured vehicles.
No lawsuit challenging German arms exports to Israel has yet succeeded, including a case brought by Nicaragua at the International Court of Justice.
But Germany’s stance shifted last week when new Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticised Israel’s intensified airstrikes in Gaza, calling them no longer justified or comprehensible. His foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, warned of possible consequences – hinting at steps towards arms export sanctions.
Three out of four Germans back Merz’s criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza, according to a poll by public broadcaster ARD.
The survey, conducted among 1,292 respondents on June 2-3, also found that 55% reject the idea that Germany bears a special responsibility to protect Israel due to the legacy of the Nazi-era Holocaust of European Jews.
Thirteen percent of those surveyed believe Germany should stand unconditionally with Israel in the Middle East conflict, while 74% opposed such a stance.
Additionally, 63% said Israel’s military response in Gaza has gone too far, an increase of six percentage points since August, while 73% consider Israeli military actions unjustified.
($1 = 0.8759 euros)
(Reporting by Riham Alkousaa; editing by Mark Heinrich)
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