What has Germany's position been on Israel's genocide in Gaza?

"Since 2003, Germany has sold 3.3 billion euros' ($3.8bn) worth of arms to Israel, primarily exporting naval equipment, including the Sa'ar 6 corvettes, which were used to attack Gaza and enforce a naval blockade. Israel also operates German-built Dolphin-class submarines, which are the mainstay of the Israeli Navy's submarine fleet. Additionally, Germany has sold a wide range of smaller munitions; the German-built Matador shoulder-fired rocket launcher has been used by the Israeli army since 2009,"

"According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), between 2019 and 2023, the US was the largest supplier of arms to Israel, providing 69 percent of military equipment, while Germany was the second-largest, supplying about 30 percent. Together, these two countries account for 99 percent of Israel's arms imports. In 2023, the German government authorised 308 military export licences to Israel, worth 326.5 million euros ($380m), a tenfold increase from 32.3 million euros ($38m) in 2022."

"Merz, who has said he does not consider Israel's actions in Gaza to be genocide, is scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday to discuss bilateral relations, the ceasefire in Gaza, and other matters. Germany is Israel's second-largest arms supplier after the United States and its fifth-largest export partner, long standing as one of Israel's staunchest supporters."

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Israel after Germany lifted a three-month suspension on arms exports potentially usable in the Gaza Strip. Merz does not consider Israel's actions in Gaza to be genocide and met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss bilateral relations and the ceasefire. The United States supplied 69 percent and Germany about 30 percent of Israel's arms between 2019 and 2023, together accounting for 99 percent of imports. In 2023 Germany authorised 308 military export licences to Israel worth €326.5 million, a tenfold increase from 2022. Since 2003 Germany has sold €3.3 billion in arms, including corvettes, submarines, rockets, missiles and engines.

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