German opposition leader Merz accuses government of obstructing weapons deliveries to Israel

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz clashed with opposition leader Friedrich Merz over weapons deliveries to Israel. Scholz and Merz, chairman of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), were participating in a parliamentary debate about the war in Gaza and Germany's weapons shipments to Israel. Scholz dismissed Merz's claim that the government was refusing to allow shipments of ammunition to Israel, citing the significant drop in weapons exports to Israel in 2024. Scholz responded to the opposition’s accusations, insisting that Germany stands by its ally Israel.

Germany has long been Israel’s second-biggest foreign supplier of weapons. Data compiled by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute shows that Germany delivered 30% of Israel’s major weapons imports. Between 2019 and 2023, Germany was second only to the US in these deliveries, with third-placed Italy providing less than 1%.

Chapter Breakdown:
0:00 German Chancellor Scholz on accusations that Germany has placed an arms embargo on Israel
1:24 DW Political Correspondent Simon Young on tense debate on arms deliveries in German parliament