Berlin court hears bid to halt German arms exports to Israel DW 11/12/2025

"The case was filed by several Palestinians, including a naturalized German citizen and his father, as well as co-plaintiffs in Gaza. Their main goal of the appeals is to halt all future weapons exports until the ceasefire and peace talks process in the Middle East is complete, and to revoke a weapons export license already granted by the German government for the export of 3,000 portable anti-tank weapons."

"The naturalized German citizen, a physician, said he had been in Gaza treating wounded during the war and had seen the damage done by "weapons made in Germany," playing on the English-language slogan often used by German businesses and politicians as a boast about export quality and popularity. He said that as a children's doctor he had fought for the lives of the wounded, "no matter what skin color, origin, religion or ethnicity they had," adding: "I expect the same from others.""

"The court in Berlin said in a press release that it anticipated swift verdicts to be issued later on Wednesday. The cases follow several past, failed attempts to secure emergency injunctions stopping the weapons exports. The case was being heard in a Berlin city court because that is the seat of the government. Although it's being heard by administrative court officials, the hearing was relocated to the more secure Moabit Criminal Court on safety grounds."

The Administrative Court of Berlin heard appeals aimed at halting German weapons exports to Israel until the conflict in Gaza ceases and revoking a license for 3,000 portable anti-tank weapons. Plaintiffs include several Palestinians, a naturalized German citizen and his father, and co-plaintiffs in Gaza who argue that the government's approval of the exports contravenes Germany's commitments under international humanitarian law. The court anticipated swift verdicts later that day after previous failed attempts to obtain emergency injunctions. The hearing was relocated to the more secure Moabit Criminal Court on safety grounds. One plaintiff, a physician, testified about treating wounded in Gaza and seeing damage attributed to "weapons made in Germany."

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