The End of Staatsräson?

On the Partial Weapons Embargo Against Israel

Dear Reader,

On Friday at midday, the federal government’s press office sent out a short statement to journalists with the subject line: “Chancellor Friedrich Merz comments on developments in Gaza.”

The message, just four paragraphs long, is already being described as one of the most significant moments in Germany’s relationship with Israel in decades. The opening paragraph reiterated Germany’s position since the Gaza War began: that the remaining hostages must be released and Hamas disarmed.

The second paragraph, however, dropped a political bombshell. The “even tougher military action” announced by the Israeli government the night before—namely, the occupation of another city in Gaza—meant that “it is becoming increasingly unclear how these goals are to be achieved.”

“Under these circumstances, the German government will not approve any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice,” the statement declared.

For the first time since the war began …