NGOs Call On German Government to Stop Arms Exports to Israel

The groups, including peace movement Pax Christi, Oxfam Germany, and Amnesty International, sent an open letter on Thursday to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and asked the government to comply with its obligations under international law, and use its influence on the Israeli government, Anadolu reported.

“Stop the export of war weapons and other military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza or the occupied West Bank,” the groups said in their letter, warning that these weapons could be used to commit serious human rights violations.

“We call on you to live up to your own responsibilities under international law, take all available measures to increase pressure on Israel to implement the demands of the International Court of Justice, and end the blockade on the delivery of essential humanitarian aid to Gaza,” the groups said.

“Do everything in your power to ensure respect for international humanitarian law in Gaza by all parties involved in the conflict,” they also stressed.

The Munich-based Jewish-Palestinian Dialogue Group, Doctors of the World, CARE Germany, and Medico International were among the 37 NGOs that signed the joint letter sent to the government.

Germany has been a staunch supporter of Israel for decades. The European country is a significant arms supplier to Israel, with a substantial contribution of €326.5 million ($353.70 million) worth of military equipment and weapons in the past year alone.

Germany's lethal arms exports to the occupied territories have seen a tenfold increase after Israel launched its war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, making it not only complicit but an active participant in the genocide unfolding in the besieged Palestinian territory.

Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after Palestinian resistance groups carried out a surprise retaliatory operation into the occupied territories.

Concomitantly with the war, the regime has been enforcing a near-total siege on the coastal territory, which has reduced the flow of foodstuffs, medicine, electricity, and water into the Palestinian territory into a trickle.