Germany okays arms deal with Israel, Gaza violence continues

An arms deal worth $3.1 billion will see Tel Aviv supply Berlin with Arrow 3 missile defence systems, signalling a deepening of ties between Germany and Israel, as reported by the Middle East Eye and agencies on December 18th.

The agreement was announced by Israel’s Defence Ministry, with Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stating that Germany’s approval of the deal “is a clear expression of the deep trust that Germany places in the State of Israel.”

Israel’s military production is expected to increase following the deal, with Defence Ministry Director-General Major General Amir Baram describing the contract as “deepening strategic relations between Israel and Germany.”

Baram added, “The deal will strengthen Israel’s position in the world as a defence superpower, will expand and accelerate Arrow production for the [Israeli army] as well, and will channel billions into strengthening the defence industries.”

Although Germany partially suspended arms exports to Israel amid Israeli plans to fully occupy Gaza, it was announced in November that the embargo would be lifted following the US-backed ceasefire, which came into effect on October 10th.

Speaking about the reinstatement of arms exports to Israel, a German government spokesperson said, “The government will, as a general rule, revert to case-by-case reviews in decisions on arms exports and respond to further developments.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had reaffirmed his country’s support for Israel following a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In October, a deal was made with Eurospike, a European-based subsidiary of Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, to supply the German military with Spike anti-tank missiles.

This is despite Rafael, along with Israeli defence contractors, Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), facing allegations of complicity in war crimes committed against the Palestinian people in the occupied territories.

Germany is Israel’s second-largest supplier of arms, with the country approving arms worth €326.5 million to be supplied to Israel in 2023. Between October 7th, 2023, and May 13th, 2025, Germany granted Israel €485 million worth of export licenses for military equipment.

The alliance between Israel and Germany is often perceived as Germany’s attempt at redemption following the atrocities committed in World War Two, such as the Holocaust, where millions of people, including six million Jews, were murdered.

Germany’s support for Israel is seemingly unwavering, even as Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza has killed at least 64,000 people, including over 17,000 children, since October 2023.

Middle East Eye and agencies, Maghrebi.org