Criticism of Israel: Union parliamentary group tip against stopping the arms deliveries

The management of the Union faction has stood against Israel against a stop of the arms deliveries because of the military procedure in the Gaza Strip. The parliamentary board agreed on Monday with Foreign Minister Johann WadePhul (CDU) on a common line and, according to the “criticism among friends”, to Israel should be pronounced, said Parliamentary Managing Director Steffen Bilger. “But what is not on the agenda for us now are further conclusions when it comes to arms deliveries or any sanctions.”

In the demands for an weapon embargo, it is known that Israel is not only threatened by shelling from the Gaza Strip, but also by attacks from Yemen and Iran. “It simply has to be a matter of course that we continue to support Israel with arms exports,” said Bilger.

CSU state group leader Alexander Hoffmann commented similarly. “As long as the state of Israel is threatened in its existence, there will be gun deliveries from Germany,” he said.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) said: “The state rush to Israel is our yardstick.” Arms deliveries to Israel from Germany should continue. Israel is threatened and, wherever possible, try to minimize the “suffering of the civilian population that cannot be ruled out”.

In an interview with the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”, WadePhul had previously made arms deliveries dependent on a international law review of Israel’s military procedure in the Gaza Strip. “Aligned with this exam, we may approved further arms deliveries,” he said. When asked whether this could also lead to weapon deliveries, WadePhul confirmed: “That says the wording.” This had caused irritation in the Union.