Exclusive
German arms deliveries to Israel continue. The Greens are said to have curbed arms exports. There is, of all people, a lot of support for military aid among their voters.
For a few days there was confusion in Berlin: Is Germany still supplying weapons to Israel? After a meeting with the arms industry, the Union candidate for chancellor even made this an issue in the Bundestag. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) then made it clear that deliveries would continue. Apparently, however, the Green Party representatives on the Federal Security Council, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, had blocked or at least delayed decisions.
The background was apparently concern about legal disputes. If Israel were to violate international law in its actions in the Gaza Strip, Germany would be indirectly involved by supplying weapons. The problem should be solved by a written assurance from Israel that it will comply with international law. Germany also demands a similar declaration from Ukraine.
60 percent reject arms sales to Israel
The Germans have little understanding for such diplomatic maneuvers. A clear majority is against continuing to supply weapons to Israel. Like a Forsa survey for the star showed that 60 percent reject arms exports to Israel. 31 percent find it correct. 9 percent express no opinion.
Among Green Party supporters, of all people, the rejection of arms deliveries is lowest at 50 percent, and 39 percent think it is correct. Rejection also predominates among voters from the other two government parties (SPD 60 percent, FDP 52 percent). Among the Union’s supporters, 56 percent are against arms exports to Israel.
Rejection of arms deliveries is particularly strong in East Germany: 75 percent are against and only 16 percent are for it. Accordingly, 75 percent of AfD supporters are also against supporting Israel with armaments, while 85 percent of voters in the Sahra Wagenknecht alliance are against supporting Israel. This is the highest value among party supporters.
The data was compiled by the market and opinion research institute forsa for stern and RTL Germany collected by telephone between October 17th and 18th, 2024. The survey is therefore representative. Database: 1007 surveys. Statistical margin of error: +/- 3 percentage points.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
