Sanctions against Israel: SPD takes WADEPHUL out of protection

The SPD faces itself shortly before the Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar’s visit to the possible sanctions against Israel behind Foreign Minister Johann WadePhul (CDU). “The course of the Foreign Minister WadePhul and the SPD is clear: we are aware of the state of Israel to historical responsibility, at the same time humanitarian international law must apply,” said the foreign policy spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group, Adis Ahmetovic, the star. “A responsible examination of arms exports is therefore correct.”

Ahmetovic added: “If international law is broken, this must be clearly named and reflect on government action.” The SPD foreign politician also criticized the coalition partners CDU and CSU for their criticism of the plans of WadePhul: “Internal disputes within the Union are therefore not expedient in this regard.”

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. Friedrich Merz had previously put a break in international law by Israel. Many had already irritated many in the CSU. In particular, the threat of possible sanctions by WadePhul then went too far in the Union.

Since then, the foreign minister has been criticized internally as publicly from his own ranks. This is also why the Union’s parliamentary group was in a hurry to a common line with WadePhul on Monday. According to this, “criticism among friends” of Israel can be pronounced, said parliamentary managing director Steffen Bilger on Tuesday. “But what is not on the agenda for us now are further conclusions when it comes to arms deliveries or any sanctions.” The new CSU state group leader Alexander Hoffmann even fully excluded any sanctions for the CSU.

After starInformation leader Jens Spahn also made it clear at the meeting on Tuesday afternoon that one should not be pushed into a debate about a weapon embargo. Israel not only has to defend itself against Hamas, but is exposed to numerous other threats, such as Iran. The internal CDU line has been clear since then: criticism yes, sanctions no.

Foreign Minister Johann WadePhul and Chancellor Friedrich Merz puts this into a tricky situation. In Europe, Germany is largely isolated with its Israel policy anyway. In the meantime, however, Merz and WadePhul have explained on an open stage that in her view, Israel breaks international law in Gaza. Germany still delivers weapons to Israel until the end. Since the end of 2024, a clause that provides for a written assurance from the Israeli government has only been used that German weapons are only used in accordance with international law. This is no longer sufficient.

At the beginning of last week, the debate with demands from the SPD had started after a weapon embargo for Israel. In the star Leading SPD politicians such as Ahmetovic and Ralf Stegner had called for a weapon embargo against Israel. Since the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023, Germany has now delivered defense material worth almost 500 million euros. In January, weapons worth two million euros were exported to Israel. According to the federal government, this included parts for tanks and other military vehicles.

In the meantime, the criticism of the procedure in Gaza is also growing in Israel. Israel’s ex-minister Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had recently accused the government of his country to commit war crimes in the Gaza Strip and not to have a strategy of how the war can be ended. Israeli cabinet members would have asked to hog the coastal stripes, Olmert told the US broadcaster CNN. “What if not a war crime?” Said the politician.

The Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar in Berlin is expected this week. He will then also meet with counterpart WadePhul.