The reply makes clear there is a discrepancy. While the chancellor presented the measure as a targeted restriction, the result so far has been a broader freeze, suggesting that ministries are erring on the side of caution and holding back approvals.

Thoden, a member of The Left group, raised the issue in a formal parliamentary question, asking what permits had been granted since Merz’s pledge and how Berlin would enforce the restriction. His request asked the government to provide a full breakdown of permits by date, quantity and weapon type. 

Germany has long counted itself among Israel’s key defense partners in Europe. The disclosure follows an earlier inquiry from the same far-left party that revealed Germany had approved arms exports to Israel worth about €251 million between early 2024 and mid-2025.

The decision has triggered debate at home. Some in Merz’s own conservative bloc say limiting exports undermines Germany’s credibility as a partner, while others — especially in the opposition — argue it doesn’t go far enough because previously approved licenses remain untouched.

Update: Merz zwischen AfD-Hoch und Ost-Hoffnung – Deutschlands Suche nach Drohnenabwehr – POLITICO

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The tech company was slapped with a €500 million fine by the Commission in April.

“And that’s not all, there is another ongoing case where, again, all options remain on the table,” Regnier said.

He said Apple had snubbed the Commission’s efforts to engage in positive talks to help them comply with the DMA.

“Results of this positive engagement? After two months, Apple came back and asked us to scrap everything,” he said, adding: “We of course fully get companies want to defend their profits at all costs, but that’s not what the DMA is about.”

U.S. president Donald Trump has stated he will slap tariffs on countries with digital rules he deemed to be discriminatory to American companies.

The Trump administration and some of its tech allies have repeatedly attacked the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), a sister law to the DMA which regulates social media platforms, accusing the bloc of censorship and claiming the law would impose costs on U.S. companies.

A spokesperson for Apple referred POLITICO to its statement published on Wednesday, which said that the company wants “our users in Europe to enjoy the same innovations at the same time as everyone else, and we’re fighting to make that possible — even when the DMA slows us down.”

“The DMA means the list of delayed features in the EU will probably get longer. And our EU users’ experience on Apple products will fall further behind.”