Germany agrees to a $3.1 billion arms deal with Israel
Germany has agreed to a $3.1 billion arms deal with Israel, advancing the purchase of the Arrow 3 missile defense system. The Israeli Ministry of Defense confirmed the agreement, which is one of the most significant military deals between the two countries. This move comes to enhance defense cooperation at a time when Israel is facing increased international scrutiny due to its military operations in Gaza.
This deal follows a previous contract worth $3.5 billion signed two years ago, raising the total value of arms sales between Germany and Israel to over $6.6 billion. These agreements represent the largest arms exports in Israel's history and provide a significant financial boost to its defense industry, which has sparked widespread criticism due to its timing amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant are facing arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Nevertheless, Germany continues to supply Israel with weapons, accounting for about 30 percent of its military imports, while the United States provides nearly 60 percent.
Germany had previously announced a partial ban on arms exports to Israel in response to its plans for complete control over the Gaza Strip, a move announced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz. However, this decision was reversed in November. Legal experts warn that continued arms exports may conflict with Germany's international obligations, especially after the lawsuit filed by South Africa before the International Court of Justice. In January 2024, the court acknowledged a reasonable risk of genocide occurring in Gaza, imposing a duty on states not to contribute to or assist in such acts.
Security expert Andreas Krieg from King's College London warned that the continuation of arms deals is difficult to justify in light of the scale of destruction in Gaza and the ongoing legal proceedings. He stated that Germany cannot claim to apply strict controls on arms exports while simultaneously expanding arms shipments to a country accused of serious violations of international humanitarian law.
On his part, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described Germany's approval as an expression of 'deep trust' between the two countries. Major General Amir Baram stated that the deal will accelerate missile production and inject billions of dollars into Israeli defense industries. Analysts warn that this financial support could directly impact Israeli military operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
German purchases are not limited to missile systems, as arms deals have expanded significantly in recent times. They include a $2 billion agreement to purchase Spike anti-tank missiles through Eurospike, along with a $400 million contract to buy the Litening 5 system from Rafael to equip German fighter jets. Critics see these deals as reflecting a broader trend of rearming Germany, the largest since World War II.
Observers point out that Berlin often justifies its unconditional support for Israel by referring to the concept of 'Staatsräson' (state reason), a principle that considers Israel's security part of Germany's historical responsibility. Palestinian-German journalist Hiba Jamal warned that this approach places the protection of a foreign state above the commitment to international law and accountability to the German public.
With Germany ready to spend more than $580 billion on defense between 2025 and 2029, analysts like Uri Goldberg believe the deal is also driven by internal political pressures. Despite the financial benefits Israel gains, critics warn that this policy could deepen Germany's international isolation and expose it to increasing legal and ethical risks as the war in Gaza continues.