Arms exports: Special session in the Union dispute over Israel policy

In the Union it rumbles violently because of the change of course by Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Israel policy. On Sunday, the foreign politicians of the CDU/CSU faction come together for a video session. The AG on the outside will discuss the current foreign policy development, it was said from parliamentary group circles. The “Bild” newspaper had previously reported on the meeting. According to this, the Chancellor’s foreign policy consultant, Günter Sautter, is also to be switched on.

The background is the decision communicated by Merz that the black and red federal government will no longer export arms goods that could be used in the Gaza Strip. The Chancellor had justified the decision by the fact that Israel wanted to expand its military operation in the region and take the city of Gaza. Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil supports the exposure of arms exports. On the other hand, criticism came from the CSU: the decision was not involved and surprised by it. Several Union MPs wrote on X of a serious mistake.

The need for conversation in the middle of the summer break

The need for discussion in the Union faction is now obvious. Votes between foreign politicians are common in important developments, it was said from parliamentary group circles. A spontaneous session on a Sunday in the middle of the summer break shows the explosiveness of the topic.

Already on Friday, members of Union AG had also positioned themselves to change the course of the federal government. While the chairman and foreign policy spokesman Jürgen Hardt called the decision “inevitable”, deputy AG chairman Roderich Kiesewetter spoke of a “serious political and strategic mistake in Germany”. “The credibility of our state ranks is precisely based on the security cooperation and the promise to protect Jewish life and the state of Israel,” emphasized gravel weather.

“Sharp”

In general, the Union faction seems to split. Foreign politician Norbert Röttgen told the “Rheinische Post”: “This reaction is correct and unfortunately inevitable due to the recent decisions of the Israeli government.” The CDU member of the Bundestag, Carsten Müller, on the other hand, wrote to X that he condemned the decision of the Federal Government. She also overlooks “how important security policy cooperation with Israel is for Germany to strengthen the Bundeswehr and NATO”.

The Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Research, Matthias Hauer (CDU), also wrote on X: “I think it is a serious mistake and a devastating signal that Germany limits its arms deliveries to Israel.” The young Union also criticized the government’s decision.

Israeli historian welcomes decision

The Israeli historian Moshe Zimmermann welcomed the arms export stop. “The Federal Chancellor’s decision has long been overdue,” he told Germany’s editorial network. It would hardly have any effect, since the Israeli military depends primarily on the production and production of the Americans. “Nevertheless, you have to set a sign here. The German government signals something. And that is a value itself,” said the emeritus professor of recent history at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Israel wants to expand military use in the Gaza Strip

Israel announced on Friday to expand his military operation in the Gaza Strip: After hours of consultations, the Israeli security cabinet decided to take the city of Gaza. This met with violent rejection in their own country, including relatives of the hostages in the violence of the terrorist organization of Hamas.

The Federal Government reacted with measures against the partner and thus completed a change of course. Chancellor Merz announced that for the time being, no exports of armaments were approved that could be used in this war.