Germany did not approve a single new arms shipment to Israel in the five weeks after Chancellor Friedrich Merz imposed partial export restrictions, it was revealed on Thursday.

Merz’s policy change last month aims to block any weapons that could be used in the Gaza war, but some members of the opposition want Berlin to go further.

The news that “no approvals” were granted came from the Economy Ministry in response to a query by Left Party lawmaker Ulrich Thoden.

The ministry said this had been the case between August 8 — the day of Merz’s decision —  and September 12 when Thoden made the enquiry.

What is Germany’s position on arms exports to Israel?

In the letter, State Secretary Thomas Steffen said the government decided “on a case-by-case basis and in light of the respective situation after careful review, taking foreign and security policy considerations as well as legal requirements into account.”

He added that Germany “reaffirms the principles of its Israel policy and remains particularly committed to the protection of the State of Israel.”

On August 8, Merz announced that, for the time being, no exports of military goods to Israel that could be used in the Gaza war would be approved. He was responding to the actions of the Israeli armed forces in the Gaza Strip.

Up to that point, the German government had gradually increased its criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government over its treatment of Palestinians but had refrained from imposing sanctions.

Netanyahu has condemned the move as “rewarding Hamas.” Merz coordinated the decision with Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil but nevertheless drew criticism from some lawmakers inside his own bloc.

What is the German Left Party’s stance on arms to Israel?

Thoden’s office told DW that it felt the government could go further and should implement an outright ban on all weapons. 

“Even though it is now said that no permits have been issued in the short time since the Merz declaration, we as The Left Party remain skeptical about how the Merz declaration will be implemented in concrete terms,” it said it a statement.

“Politically necessary would be a complete halt to all [even already approved] arms exports to Israel and an end to the close arms cooperation between Germany and Israel.”

“Otherwise, the German government runs a serious risk of being guilty of complicity in the Israeli military’s crimes under international law against the Palestinian civilian population.”

Israel has repeatedly denied accusations that it has committed war crimes, including after an independent commission under the UN Human Rights Council found that it was committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

What weapons has Germany exported to Israel?

Germany had rapidly increased its share of the Israeli weapons market, mostly with naval equipment like ships, submarines and torpedoes.

Until early August, Berlin had steadily increased exports following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, licensing nearly half a billion euros in equipment under former Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Merz’s own government initially cleared nearly €4 million (about $4.7 million) in sales during its first five weeks in office before the new curb.

Deliveries have included firearms, ammunition, weapon parts, special equipment for the army and navy, electronic equipment, and special armored vehicles.

They also include German-made Sa’ar corvettes, small warships with sophisticated radar equipment and cannons that have reportedly shelled targets in Gaza during the war.

Edited by: Zac Crellin