“For weeks and months, federal govt refused to grant export permits for ammunition and even spare parts for tanks,” Merz


Berlin: Germany will supply more weapons to Israel soon, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Thursday, after a significant drop in deliveries this year prompted opposition accusations that Berlin deliberately delayed the exports.
“We have not decided not to supply weapons. We have supplied weapons and we will supply weapons,” Scholz told parliament at an event to commemorate the victims of the October 7 Hamas attack, countering an accusation from opposition leader Friedrich Merz.
The government had made decisions ‘that also ensure that there will be further deliveries soon,’ the chancellor said.
Merz, leader of Germany’s conservative opposition, accused the government of delaying arms exports to Israel, including ammunition and tank spare parts.
“For weeks and months, the federal government has refused to grant export permits for ammunition and even spare parts for tanks,” Merz said at the parliamentary session.
“We are aware of several specific cases where the government has withheld approval for equipment and material that Israel urgently needs to defend itself,” Merz added.
Germany's approvals for arms exports to Israel dropped sharply this year, with only 14.5 million euros' worth granted from January to August 21, according to data provided by the Economy Ministry in response to a parliamentary question.
In 2023, Germany approved arms exports to Israel worth 326.5 million euros including military equipment and war weapons, a 10-fold increase from 2022, data from the ministry, which approves export licenses, showed.
Commenting on the fall in exports, the German government has said there is no arms export boycott on Israel, and export permits are issued case-by-case after careful review, considering international law, foreign policy and security considerations.
SOURCE: REUTERS

Interior Minister briefs PM on country's law and order situation
- a day ago

Gold prices drop in two days
- 11 hours ago

Rawalpindi Test: Pakistan continues to bat in first innings against South Africa
- 14 hours ago

Rain predicted in various parts of country
- 16 hours ago
Pakistan rejects ICC’s selective comment regarding Afghan cricketers' death in airstrike
- a day ago
Alleged suicide bomber apprehended in KP
- a day ago

Govt approves wheat policy; procurement set at Rs3,500 per 40kg
- a day ago

Another Israeli spy executed in Iran
- 16 hours ago

Tomato prices increase significantly, reasons revealed
- 13 hours ago

HIV cases among children increase rapidly in Nawabshah
- 16 hours ago
Brother of National Party’s central leader murdered in Balochistan’s Panjgur
- a day ago

Warriors waive Seth Curry but expect his return
- 19 hours ago