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German opposition accuses Merz government of fuelling Iran war via Israel arms exports
The Lebanese army work at the site after an Israeli strike severed the last remaining bridge linking southern Lebanon to the rest of the country, Lebanon 16 April, 2026.
Reuters
Germany’s opposition party, The Left, on Thursday accused Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government of fuelling the war in Iran by exporting arms to Israel, as new figures revealed millions of euros in approved military sales.
Germany approved millions of euros’ worth of arms exports to Israel during the early weeks of the Iran conflict, prompting criticism from opposition lawmakers.
According to the German Economy Ministry, cited by the German Press Agency (dpa), Berlin authorised military exports worth €6.6 million between 28 February and 27 March.
The approvals came despite constitutional principles that restrict weapons exports to active conflict zones.
Ulrich Thoden, a lawmaker from the Left party, condemned the move, saying: “The profit interests of the military-industrial complex never serve the cause of peace, neither in the Middle East nor elsewhere; rather, they fuel wars that claim countless lives and can cost entire nations their economic prosperity.”
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He called for an “immediate and complete halt” to German arms exports to Israel.
Germany is one of Israel’s closest allies in Europe, and officials have repeatedly stressed the country’s “special responsibility” for Israel’s security due to its Nazi past.
Major arms suppliers to Israel
The United States remains Israel’s largest military backer by a wide margin, supplying the majority of its imported weapons.
According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the U.S. and Germany together account for nearly all of Israel’s arms imports in recent years.
Germany is the second-largest supplier, though far behind the U.S.
Other countries play much smaller roles.
Italy supplies a limited share of military equipment.
The United Kingdom’s exports are typically indirect, often involving components or parts rather than complete weapons systems.
While these additional suppliers contribute to Israel’s defence supply chain, their role is minor compared with the scale of U.S. support.
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