Top German officials question arms deals to Israel
'Germany cannot provide weapons to areas of conflict or to dictators,' says Merkel's senior coalition partner, asking 'what about Israel?' as German sub joins IDF.
BERLIN – Ralf Stegner, the vice president of the Social Democratic Party of Germany, wants Germany to rethink its arms sales to Israel.
The comments came as a fourth German-made submarine was making its way to Israel, and after the head of his faction – vice chancellor of Germany Sigmar Gabriel – recommended Germany cut back on arms exports.
Speaking with the Welt am Sonntag, Stegner, whose party is a senior partner in Chancellor Angela Merkel's coaltion, said the SDP wants "a clear policy change" in regards to arms sales.
"Germany cannot provide weapons to areas of conflict or to dictators," Stegner said. The German politician questioned the decision to export military hardware to Mideast countries: "What about Saudi Arabia? What about Qatar? And I dare ask – what about Israel?"
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Stegner emphasized that while the German government was invested in the security of the Jewish State, sales of munitions have not led to an increase in regional stability. "Although Germany is committed to Israel's security, it is not my impression that weapons in the Middle East help solve the problem."
A senior official in Merkel's governing coalition slammed Stegner's remarks. "Israel is a lighthouse for democracy in the Middle East. Because of the history, Israel enjoys our special attention. That is why we treat its requests differently than we do those from other countries in the Middle East."
During the Second Intifada, Germany – led by Gerhard Schröder – temporarily suspended specific military exports to Israel. In recent years, pressure has accrued from left-wing Germans, some of whom have aligned with Arab states, to end the "special relationship" with Israel and stop equipping the Jewish State with German arms.
The procurement and delivery of the Dolphin-class submarines has faced stern opposition from left-wing factions and institutions. However, under the leadership of Merkel, the
German government has assented to Israeli requests for military exports.
Earlier this year, a significant deal between Germany and the Israeli security establishment was completed, as the Germans handed a fifth Dolphin-class submarine to Israel. The handover was marked in an official ceremony in Germany's city of Kiel.
The vessel is considered one of the most advanced submarines in the world and is the most expensive war vessel the Defense Ministry has procured for the IDF. The diesel-powered submarines are widely regarded as an Israeli vanguard against foes like Iran. In total, Israel has purchased six Dolphin submarines from Germany.
