Germany's arms shipments to Israel worth more than €130m

The German government has so far approved arms exports to Israel worth at least €131 million in the current year, according to information recently released by the Economy Ministry in Berlin, reported dpa.

The German government has not authorized any war weapons exports since the beginning of March, the ministry said in response to a parliamentary question from a lawmaker of the populist BSW party made available to dpa.

According to the latest figures, the German government allowed arms deliveries to Israel worth €23.6 million between October 18 and November 19.

"Of this, the entire value is accounted for by 'other military equipment'," according to the ministry.

Up to 17 October, the German government authorized arms deliveries to Israel worth at least €107.5 million, according to previous answers to parliamentary questions. This brings the total since the beginning of the year to €131.1 million.

The German government last issued licences for war weapons exports to Israel in February.

War weapons are explicitly designed for warfare, such as rifles, rockets, warships, bombs or ammunition. "Other military equipment" includes helmets and protective vests and unarmed vehicles. However, certain components for weapons systems may also be included.

The delivery of weapons to Israel has been a matter of dispute in Germany for months.

Last year, the government had approved arms deliveries to Israel worth €326.5 million, including weapons of war worth €20.1 million.

The majority of export licences were issued after the terrorist attack by Palestinian extremist group Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which triggered the Gaza war.