Germany set to lift three-month arms embargo on Israel

German government spokesperson Steffen Cornelius announced today (Monday) that on Nov. 24, Berlin will lift the partial arms embargo it imposed on Israel earlier this year. The announcement comes a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke. Cornelius clarified that the move is contingent on maintaining the ceasefire in Gaza.

On Aug. 8, the German government, under Merz’s directive, imposed an embargo on arms exports to Israel, following the cabinet’s decision to approve the full capture of Gaza City. According to the chancellor, who at the time held a more critical stance toward Israel, the embargo was intended to prevent German weapons from being used by the IDF and security forces in the war in Gaza.

The move led by Merz drew criticism within his own party, as it was not brought for discussion in the relevant political forums. Later, when asked why he had taken such action against Israel and without informing Prime Minister Netanyahu, Merz explained that Netanyahu simply did not answer his phone call.

Last Saturday, Merz hinted at a shift in his position during a speech at a youth conference of his party: “The position of the Federal Republic of Germany must be clear, where we stand. In the Western alliance, alongside Israel.” Last night, the Prime Minister’s office announced—what appeared to be a precursor to this morning’s declaration—that Merz and Netanyahu had spoken: “It was a good and friendly conversation, during which the two discussed political and regional issues.”

The chancellor’s announcement of the embargo also came amid heavy pressure from his coalition at home, and support from other countries that had taken similar steps. Merz himself had strongly criticized Israeli actions in Gaza, claiming that the IDF bombings “no longer show any logic” and “have no justification in the fight against terrorism.” Netanyahu spoke with Chancellor Merz that same evening and expressed his disappointment at the decision saying, “Germany is rewarding Hamas terrorism.”

Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder, considered one of the central figures in the ruling party, called last month for the government to lift the embargo on Israel following the achievement of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. “If this peace now succeeds, then Germany must also contribute again,” Söder said in a local media interview.