Latest news with #CentralCouncilofJews
Sharjah 24
2 days ago
- Politics
- Sharjah 24
Germany suspends arms exports to Israel over Gaza concerns
Growing humanitarian concerns Merz highlighted Germany's deep concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. While reaffirming Israel's right to self-defense, he announced that no military equipment potentially usable in Gaza would be approved for export 'until further notice.' A shift in longstanding policy The decision marks a significant shift from Germany's historic support for Israel. Between October 2023 and May 2025, Berlin approved €485 million in defence exports, including firearms, ammunition, and armored vehicles. Domestic reactions split The move received mixed responses. Germany's Central Council of Jews called it 'disappointing,' urging more pressure on Hamas instead. In contrast, Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil praised it as a 'just decision,' citing unbearable suffering in Gaza. Public support for pressure on Israel A recent ARD poll showed that 66% of Germans believe the government should take stronger action to influence Israel's conduct in Gaza. Diplomatic position on Palestine and West Bank Germany continues to reject unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, insisting it must follow negotiations. Merz also warned Israel against steps toward annexing the West Bank, referencing recent support for annexation within the Israeli parliament. Implications for defence ties The German-Israeli Society criticized the export freeze, warning it may jeopardize Germany's defense capabilities, especially a €3.5 billion deal to purchase Israel's Arrow-3 missile defense system.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jewish leader slams Germany's suspension of arms exports to Israel
Germany's Central Council of Jews has sharply criticized the government's decision to suspend exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in the Gaza Strip, announced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday. "This change of course runs counter to all the expressions of solidarity and promises made by the chancellor since he took office," said the council's president, Josef Schuster. Israel is attacked daily by enemies and bombarded with missiles, Schuster said. "Depriving Israel of the ability to defend itself against such threats endangers its existence," he added. Germany should instead increase pressure on the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, Schuster said. "The federal government should correct its course as quickly as possible." Merz announced on Friday that the German government will not authorize any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice. The move, a major step for one of Israel's strongest supporters, came in response to the Israeli government's decision to expand operations in the Gaza Strip with the aim of seizing Gaza City. Merz raised concerns about the impact of the planned offensive on the civilian population in Gaza and said the campaign will make it increasingly difficult for Israel to achieve its goals in the war. Solve the daily Crossword
eNCA
2 days ago
- Business
- eNCA
Germany suspends arms exports to Israel for use in Gaza
Germany will halt the export of military equipment to Israel that could be used in the Gaza Strip, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Friday, reacting to Israel's plan to take control of Gaza City. The arms export freeze marks a drastic change of course for Germany, which has long been one of Israel's staunchest international allies. Merz said it was "increasingly unclear" how the latest Israeli military plan would help achieve the aims of disarming Hamas and freeing the remaining Israeli hostages. "Under these circumstances, the German government will not authorise any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice," he said in a statement. Berlin "remains deeply concerned about the suffering of the civilian population in Gaza", he added. Israel has until recently enjoyed broad support across the political spectrum in Germany, a country still seeking to atone for the World War II murder of more than six million Jews. Between the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023 that started the Gaza war and May this year, Germany approved defence exports worth 485 million euros ($565 million) to Israel. The deliveries included firearms, ammunition, weapons parts, electronic equipment and armoured vehicles, the government said in June. Merz reiterated that "Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas' terror" and that "the release of the hostages and negotiations on a ceasefire are our top priorities". "The disarmament of Hamas is imperative. Hamas must not play a role in Gaza in future," he said. But he added that "the new military push agreed by the Israeli security cabinet makes it increasingly unclear how these goals are to be achieved". Germany's Central Council of Jews called Merz's decision "disappointing" and said the government should "correct course" and increase pressure on Hamas instead. - Gaza suffering 'unbearable' - Merz's decision is a dramatic step for Germany, where the chancellor's tone towards Israel has been sharpening in recent months as the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorated further. Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil of the Social Democrats welcomed the "just decision", saying "the humanitarian suffering in Gaza is unbearable". A poll published this week by public broadcaster ARD found that 66 percent of Germans expected the government to exert greater influence over Israel to change its actions in Gaza. AFP/File | Khalil MAZRAAWI However, while often voicing concern, Germany had do far avoided major concrete steps. It refrained from following France, Britain and Canada, which have announced plans to recognise a Palestinian state in September, saying recognition must come at the end of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Berlin has also opposed the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which had been under review by the bloc. Global alarm has been growing over the suffering in Gaza, where a UN-backed assessment has warned that famine is unfolding. German air force planes have joined others with humanitarian aid airdrops over the war-battered coastal territory. Merz said that "with the planned offensive, the Israeli government bears even greater responsibility" for providing aid to Gaza and again urged "comprehensive access" for UN agencies and aid groups. He also said his government urged Israel "to refrain from taking any further steps toward an annexation of the West Bank". Last month, 71 members of Israel's 120-seat parliament, including members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition, passed a motion calling on the government to annex the occupied West Bank. The German-Israeli Society, which promotes closer ties between the two countries, condemned Merz's move and pointed to a $3.5-billion deal under which Germany agreed to buy Israel's Arrow-3 anti-ballistic missile shield. The group said that "if Israel were to retaliate in arms deliveries to Germany, the future of German aerial defence looks bleak".
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Germany suspends arms exports to Israel for use in Gaza
Germany will halt the export of military equipment to Israel that could be used in the Gaza Strip, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Friday (August 8, 2025), reacting to Israel's plan to take control of Gaza City. The arms export freeze marks a drastic change of course for Germany, which has long been one of Israel's staunchest international allies. Mr. Merz said it was 'increasingly unclear' how the latest Israeli military plan would help achieve the aims of disarming Hamas and freeing the remaining Israeli hostages. 'Under these circumstances, the German government will not authorise any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice,' he said in a statement. Berlin 'remains deeply concerned about the suffering of the civilian population in Gaza', he added. Israel has until recently enjoyed broad support across the political spectrum in Germany, a country still seeking to atone for the World War II murder of more than six million Jews. Between the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, that started the Gaza war and May this year, Germany approved defence exports worth 485 million euros ($565 million) to Israel. The deliveries included firearms, ammunition, weapons parts, electronic equipment and armoured vehicles, the government said in June. Mr. Merz reiterated that 'Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas' terror' and that 'the release of the hostages and negotiations on a ceasefire are our top priorities'. 'The disarmament of Hamas is imperative. Hamas must not play a role in Gaza in future,' he said. But he added that 'the new military push agreed by the Israeli security cabinet makes it increasingly unclear how these goals are to be achieved'. Germany's Central Council of Jews called Mr. Merz's decision 'disappointing' and said the government should 'correct course' and increase pressure on Hamas instead. Gaza suffering 'unbearable' Mr. Merz's decision is a dramatic step for Germany, where the chancellor's tone towards Israel has been sharpening in recent months as the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorated further. Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil of the Social Democrats welcomed the 'just decision', saying 'the humanitarian suffering in Gaza is unbearable'. A poll published this week by public broadcaster ARD found that 66% of Germans expected the government to exert greater influence over Israel to change its actions in Gaza. However, while often voicing concern, Germany had do far avoided major concrete steps. It refrained from following France, Britain and Canada, which have announced plans to recognise a Palestinian state in September, saying recognition must come at the end of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Berlin has also opposed the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which had been under review by the bloc. Global alarm has been growing over the suffering in Gaza, where a U.N.-backed assessment has warned that famine is unfolding. German air force planes have joined others with humanitarian aid airdrops over the war-battered coastal territory. Mr. Merz said that 'with the planned offensive, the Israeli government bears even greater responsibility' for providing aid to Gaza and again urged 'comprehensive access' for U.N. agencies and aid groups. He also said his government urged Israel 'to refrain from taking any further steps toward an annexation of the West Bank'. Last month, 71 members of Israel's 120-seat parliament, including members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition, passed a motion calling on the government to annex the occupied West Bank. The German-Israeli Society, which promotes closer ties between the two countries, condemned Mr. Merz's move and pointed to a $3.5-billion deal under which Germany agreed to buy Israel's Arrow-3 anti-ballistic missile shield. The group said that 'if Israel were to retaliate in arms deliveries to Germany, the future of German aerial defence looks bleak'.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Germany foils Iranian plot to attack Jews
Germany has foiled an Iranian plot to attack Israelis and Jewish community leaders. Jens Rommel, the federal prosecutor, said police had arrested 'Ali S', a Danish citizen of Afghan origin, on suspicion of carrying out surveillance of potential targets. Ali S is accused of taking photographs of buildings, including the German-Israeli Society and a house linked to Josef Schuster, the president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany. According to Der Spiegel, the German magazine, Ali S was recruited by the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the elite Iranian military unit formerly led by Qassim Soleimani and now by Esmail Ghaani. Soleimani was assassinated by the United States in 2020. Ghaani is understood be alive, despite reports that he was killed last month during the Iran-Israel missile exchanges. The Quds Force reports directly to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran. Mr Schuster said he was shocked by the news of an apparent attempt on his life. 'The arrest of a suspected spy for the Iranian terror regime, who is said to have spied on Jewish and Israeli facilities in Germany, is a clear alarm signal,' he said. 'This successful interception must be a final signal, to all those who underestimate the hatred and destruction fantasies held by the Mullah regime towards Israel and Jews across the world.' Volker Beck, the president of the German-Israeli Society, said he wished to thank the German security services for their vigilance. He added: 'That Iran prepares and plans these attacks on Jewish representatives and pro-Israel activists is a clear sign of the terrorist nature of this regime.' The arrest came after Israel and Iran agreed to a ceasefire last week, ending a 12-day conflict that killed an estimated 1,000 Iranians and at least 29 Israelis. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, launched a salvo of airstrikes on key Iranian military facilities and its nuclear programme, which Israel regards as an existential threat. The conflict ended when Donald Trump, the US president, struck three Iranian nuclear facilities on the ninth day of the war and secured a ceasefire. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
