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Irish Times
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Israeli foreign minister finds shifting moods as he visits Berlin
Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar was greeted by protest chants of 'blood on your hands' during a tense Berlin visit on Thursday. Amid a shifting political and public mood in Germany on Gaza , Mr Sa'ar held talks and laid a wreath at Berlin's Holocaust memorial alongside his German counterpart Johann Wadephul. In recent days the new German foreign minister has sent mixed signals, saying at the weekend that further German arms exports to Israel would be conditional on a review of their compliance with international law, indicating this could reduce deliveries. 'We have changed our tone and will likely change our political actions next,' said Mr Wadephul, echoing a more critical tone from chancellor Friedrich Merz . On Wednesday, Mr Wadephul appeared to shift again, promising further arms deliveries and telling the Bundestag that 'Germany must know where it stands: at Israel's side'. READ MORE The value of German arms exports to Israel spiked in 2023 to €326.5 million, then dropped by half last year amid rising pressure and public disquiet. At their joint press conference on Thursday, Mr Wadephul flagged ongoing attacks on Israel from its neighbours and said Germany would continue to support Israel's right to defend itself. But he criticised Israel's new Gaza aid distribution programme , saying it forced people to walk long distances often to 'come back empty-handed or, in the worst case, they don't come back at all because they've been killed'. Israel's permission for 22 new West Bank settlements, according to Mr Wadephul, was 'contrary to international law ... and a literal block to a two-state solution'. [ Gaza aid group halts distribution due to civilian safety concerns after dozens killed seeking aid Opens in new window ] Mr Sa'ar thanked Germany for standing at Israel's side on the international stage and asked for more time for a new aid distribution push by the US-backed Israeli foundation to establish itself. 'This effort has the potential to free the Palestinian population from Hamas ' stranglehold and end this war,' he said. Mr Sa'ar denounced growing international calls to halt arms deliveries to his country, saying that would leave 'Israel, the most attacked and threatened country in the world, deprived of its right to self-defence'. Participants display Palestinian flags and flash the victory sign during a demonstration in support of Palestinians outside the foreign office in Berlin, during a visit by Israel's foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar to the German capital. Photograph: Odd Andersen/AFP via Getty Images Outside Berlin's foreign ministry, protesters accused the Israeli visitor of 'co-responsibility for crimes against humanity and genocide'. They demanded an end to German arms exports to Israel, 'not as a pipe dream but as a legal obligation'. 'This visit legitimises aggression and gives political cover for a people's extinction,' said one German speaker. An Israeli speaker said Mr Sa'ar was in Berlin 'to buy more time for Israel because he knows the tide is turning'. The German public mood towards Israel and its war in Gaza has cooled in recent weeks, according to a public television poll, with almost two thirds (63 per cent) saying that Israel's military response in Gaza has gone too far. [ Trinity College Dublin board votes to cut ties with Israeli universities and companies Opens in new window ] Almost three quarters (73 per cent) did not consider the military action against Hamas justified if the Palestinian civilian population suffers. Meanwhile, 77 per cent of respondents approved of the more critical tone from Berlin towards Israel, which just 16 per cent viewed as a trusted partner of Germany. During his visit, Mr Sa'ar expressed concern about a study logging more than 8,627 anti-Semitic incidents in Germany last year, the equivalent of one an hour. The numbers mark a 76 per cent rise on 2023, the report said, and a 341 per cent increase since 2020. Among the documented cases was a swastika drawn on the wall outside the apartment of a Jewish couple in Hamburg; a Jewish schoolchild held down by two men and called a 'dirty Jew'; and a sign at a Düsseldorf protest reading: 'Yesterday Holocaust Victims. Today Perpetrators in Gaza.' The fallout from the October 7th, 2023, attacks by Hamas on Israel has supercharged anti-Semitism in Germany, the report found, with 68 per cent of cases categorised as 'Israel-related anti-Semitism'. Two per cent of the cases related to extreme violence or attacks, while 87 per cent were categorised as 'injurious behaviour'. [ Israeli military recovers bodies of two hostages held by Hamas, says Netanyahu Opens in new window ] 'The risk of being persecuted as a Jew in Germany has increased since October 7th, 2023,' said Benjamin Steinitz, co-author of the report from the Federal Research and Information Point for Antisemitism (RIAS). 'But debates about what counts as an expression of anti-Semitism seem to take up more space than empathy for the victims.' He was responding to a critical report arguing that the RIAS methodology equated criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism. 'RIAS statistics and publications indicate a bias in favour of the Israeli right, reinforced by opaque methods,' wrote Itay Mashiach, an Israeli journalist, in the report by the international Diaspora Alliance titled Biased. He said RIAS's 'flawed approach and resulting alarmist reporting have significant repercussions, including the stigmatisation of migrant communities, the restriction of political expression and the suppression of human rights activists'. Back at Berlin's Holocaust memorial, a school group waited to visit after the foreign ministers departed. Benjamin, an 18-year-old student from Hanover, said he followed the Middle East closely – in particular the aid blockade and resulting outcry. 'I understand that Israel doesn't want aid to go in that feeds Hamas fighters first and civilians second,' he said. 'But I don't agree with what looks like an effort to smoke out the Palestinians from Gaza.'
Arab News
16 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
Europe's tough talk on Gaza belies its thirst for Israeli weapons
LONDON: European leaders may recently have taken a tougher stance against Israel over the devastating Gaza war, but that is not reflected in their desire for Israeli weapons. Israel's arms exports increased by 13 percent in 2024 to a record $14.8 billion, an increase largely attributed to growing demand in Europe, according to Israel's defense ministry figures released Wednesday. Europe was the largest buyer, making up 54 percent of sales, a sharp increase from a 35 percent share in 2023. Israel is among the top 10 largest arms exporters in the world and while it is dwarfed by the United States in terms of volume, its defense industry is one of the most technologically advanced. European countries have increased defense spending to counter the threat from Russia and after pressure from the Trump administration to provide a greater contribution to the NATO alliance. The figures show European demand has become a key new market for Israel, but there are signs that increasing opposition from countries like the UK, France, Germany and Italy to the Gaza war are affecting sales. On Tuesday, Spain canceled a $325 million deal for anti-tank missile systems that were to be built by a subsidiary of an Israeli company. A government spokesperson said: 'The goal is clear … a total disconnection from Israeli technology.' Israel's largest foreign defense deal was signed in September 2024 — to build an Arrow missile defense system for Germany at the cost of $4.3 billion. The system is expected to be delivered this year. Yet even Germany, traditionally one of Israel's closest allies, has started to condemn Israel's Gaza operation, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz saying it 'can no longer be justified.' Israeli defense ministry officials are concerned that European countries may cancel further contracts or impose sanctions on Israeli defense companies, The Times of Israel reported. Last month, the UK, France and Canada threatened 'concrete actions' against Israel if it did not halt its military operation in Gaza and allow humanitarian aid into the territory. The UK also paused negotiations on a free trade agreement with Israel. The shift in stance from countries that were previously among Israel's staunchest supporters came after Israel imposed a two-month blockade on food and humanitarian aid to Gaza's desperate population and ramped up its military operation in the territory. The killing of dozens of Palestinians congregating to access food aid from a controversial new distribution system has led to further rounds of strongly worded condemnation from European and global leaders. The defense ministry export figures show that since the war started in October 2023, Israel has managed to continue growing its arms industry while at the same time carrying out operations in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen and Syria. The numbers show the next biggest market for arms exports was the Asia-Pacific region with 23 per cent of the purchases. Arab countries that normalized relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords made up 12 percent. Defense Minister Israel Katz said the all-time record in defense exports were the 'direct result' of the military campaigns against Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iran. 'The world sees Israeli strength and seeks to be a partner to it,' Katz added. The ministry said that nearly half the deals were for air defense systems, missiles, and rockets, an increase of 12 percent from 2023. About 9 percent of the sales were for vehicles, while satellite and space systems, electronic warfare systems, and manned aircraft and avionics, amounted to 8 percent each. More than half of the deals were worth more than $100 million each. Europe's governments have also faced pressure to cut back arms sales to Israel Israel's military exports are dwarfed by the military aid it receives from the US, which was estimated at nearly $18 billion for the 12 months after the October 2023 Hamas-led attack. During the attack, 1,200 people were killed and 251 hostages seized. Israel's resulting military operation in Gaza has killed more than 54,000 people, mostly women and children, and sparked a humanitarian disaster.
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Dorset MP seeks clarity over arms exports to Israel
An MP is demanding more clarity over rules governing exports of arms to Israel and other conflict Slade made the call after the logo of Dorset firm RCV Engines was featured in a promotional video for a drone made by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).The MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole has written to the Ferndown-based company to ask if its drone engines are being used in Gaza.A spokesman for RCV said its engines were "not in use in any military campaigns" and added: "The engine shown in the footage... was purchased by our [Israeli] customer, not IAI." IAI is an Israeli state-owned manufacturer, and in a description of the video it said the drone could be used "in combat scenarios".In September 2024, the UK government suspended around 30 arms export licences to Israel for use in Gaza over International Humanitarian Law than 300 licenses to sell to Israel are still in place - not including exemptions for specific components. An RCV spokesman said the company "will not be supplying engines for any operational drones to Israel because we have given notice of termination of supply to our Israeli customer".The BBC understands the UK government told the company it did not require an arms export licence to sell its engines abroad, provided they were not designed or modified for military more broadly about current export controls, Ms Slade said she was concerned items designed for non-military purposes could still be used in combat year Prof Nizam Mamode, from Hampshire, told MPs Israeli drones would target children who were lying injured after bombings near the Nasser Slade said: "Should we rethink what sort of equipment is now deadly?"We can call it a loop-hole we can call it a grey area. I'm not affixing any blame to this government."But they now need to make sure that standards are as high as they can be. Not just for Gaza, but for other places as well." A spokesperson for the Department for Business and Trade said: "We have a robust licensing regime in place for exports of controlled goods and have suspended relevant licences for components that might be used in military operations in Gaza."UN experts have stressed that companies must end arms transfers to Israel immediately or "risk responsibility for human rights violations".Israel launched a military campaign to destroy Hamas in response to an unprecedented cross-border attack on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken least 54,470 people have been killed in Gaza since then, including 3,901 since Israel resumed its offensive on 18 March following a two-month ceasefire, according to the territory's Hamas-run health BBC has approached Israel Aerospace Industries for comment. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Reuters
2 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Large majority of Germans want tighter controls on arms exports to Israel
BERLIN, June 4 (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)
Arab News
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
UK govt under pressure from own MPs over Israeli arms exports
London: UK authorities are under pressure to halt arms exports to Israel from MPs within the governing Labour Party. Foreign Secretary David Lammy suspended around 30 arms export licenses to Israel in September, amid warnings that the weapons could be used to breach international law in Gaza, but hundreds of other licenses remain in place. During a parliamentary debate on Monday, Labour MP Steve Witherden criticized a lack of transparency on arms exports to Israel, and asked the government to explain what criteria would be needed to enact a broader ban. He highlighted the UK's role in the manufacture and export of parts for the F-35 fighter jet, which is used by the Israeli military. Palestinian rights group Al-Haq has previously said the export license for F-35 parts creates a 'carve-out' that gives 'rise to a significant risk of facilitating crime' by the Israeli military. Witherden said: 'The foreign secretary's recent condemnation of Israel's action as 'monstrous' was welcome but incomplete, for my very same government continues to facilitate such actions. 'We can't have it both ways. We can't condemn atrocity whilst simultaneously fueling the machinery that enables it. We can't claim to uphold international law while profiting from its breach.' He added: 'It's the government's position that the need to continue to supply F-35 components outweighs the risk of genocide and, if so, is there any circumstance that would lead to the UK stopping that supply? 'The government has claimed that there are red lines that would trigger a halt to exports, but Gaza is already a slaughterhouse.' Witherden continued: 'Children are emaciated or dying of hunger. Hospitals have been intentionally destroyed. Israel's leaders vow to wipe out Gaza and still the weapons flow.' He added: 'I call on this government to suspend all arms exports to Israel to ensure that no British-made weapons are used in Israel's brutal plans to annexe, starve and ethnically cleanse the Palestinian population.' Trade Minister Douglas Alexander responded that UK rules prevent sales of F-35 components directly to Israel, but that as part of a global supply network, there are limits on what the UK could do to prevent parts reaching the country. 'Undermining the F-35 program at this juncture would, in the view of the government, disrupt international peace and security, NATO deterrence and European defense as a whole,' Alexander said, adding that he believes Israel's actions in responding to the 'act of barbarism' by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, have been 'disproportionate' and 'counterproductive to any lasting peace settlement.' He reminded MPs of the government's decision to suspend arms licenses shortly after taking office last year. 'This measure is still in place and I'd like to reiterate that, based on our current assessment of potential breaches of international humanitarian law, we aren't licensing military equipment provided directly to the (Israeli military) that could be used for military operations in Gaza,' he told the House of Commons. 'It's right to acknowledge that our export licenses granted in relation to Israel cover a wider remit than simply those items that may be used in Gaza. 'There are a relatively small number of licenses for the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) relating to equipment which we assess wouldn't be used in the current conflict including, for example, parts of air defense systems that defend Israel from acts such as the major aerial attack from Iran in April 2024. 'We also think it's right for us to continue providing military-grade body armor used by non-governmental organizations and journalists, and to provide parts to the supply chain which are ultimately re-exported back out of Israel to support the defense of our NATO allies.'
