German church group slams Berlin for resumption of arms deliveries to Israel
Karl Juesten, the co-chair of the Joint Conference Church and Development, has criticised Germany’s recent decision to resume arms deliveries to Israel, calling it “premature”.
Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, he said his organisation representing both Catholic and Protestant churches called on the German government “not to supply Israel with any military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip, even after the very fragile ceasefire, until the situation in Gaza has stabilised sufficiently and there is no longer a clear risk that this military equipment could be used in serious violations of international humanitarian law”.
Germany announced on November 17 that it would lift restrictions on arms exports to Israel, citing what it called a “stabilised ceasefire” in Gaza and recent diplomatic progress in the region.
Germany’s arms exports to Israel have long been contentious and the subject of legal challenges by rights groups.
The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, which supported plaintiffs in their legal action, has repeatedly said Berlin’s authorisation of weapons exports to Israel violates international agreements Germany signed.
Germany approves $3.1 billion missile system deal with Israel
The German parliament has approved a $3.1 billion deal with Israel to expand the Arrow 3 long-range missile system, Israel’s Defence Ministry says.
This latest agreement “will complement the initial purchase agreement signed by Israel and Germany approximately two years ago, valued at roughly $3.5 billion”, the ministry said in a statement.
It totals approximately $6.5 billion, making it “the largest Israeli defence export deal ever”, the statement said.
Germany, Israel’s second largest provider of arms after the US, announced on November 17 that it would lift restrictions on arms exports to Israel, citing what it called a “stabilised ceasefire” in Gaza and recent diplomatic progress in the region.
