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Amnesty Calls Germany’s Reversal of Partial Arms Embargo on Israel ‘Reckless and Unlawful’

03:46 AM, 11/25/2025
Amnesty Calls Germany’s Reversal of Partial Arms Embargo on Israel ‘Reckless and Unlawful’

Amnesty International has accused Germany of acting "recklessly and unlawfully" by lifting a partial arms embargo on Israel after Berlin cited an October 10 ceasefire. Amnesty says the move weakens international pressure amid allegations of ceasefire violations and restricted aid to Gaza, and records at least 69,733 Palestinian deaths since October 7, 2023. According to German government data cited by Amnesty, export licences totalling more than €485 million were issued between Oct. 7, 2023 and May 12, 2025.

Amnesty International has strongly condemned Germany’s decision to lift a partial arms embargo on Israel, calling the move "reckless" and "unlawful." The reversal took effect after Berlin said the October 10 ceasefire had "fundamentally stabilised" the Gaza enclave.

Amnesty response

"Now is absolutely not the time to ease this pressure," said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns. She added that lifting the embargo "sends entirely the wrong message to Israel: that it can continue committing genocide, war crimes, and apartheid against Palestinians and unlawfully occupy the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza without fear of consequence."

Amnesty described Germany’s earlier embargo as "one of the few forms of meaningful pressure applied by the international community" in response to the situation in Gaza.

Background and figures

Germany announced a near-total suspension of arms sales to Israel in August amid domestic pressure and a contentious Israeli ground operation in Gaza City. Last week, Sebastian Hille, a spokesperson for Chancellor Friedrich Merz, confirmed the policy reversal while saying Berlin would continue to assess future sales on a case-by-case basis.

Amnesty, citing German government data, reports that Berlin issued export licences worth more than €485 million (about $559 million) between October 7, 2023 and May 12, 2025. Authorized transfers reportedly included anti-tank weapons and gearboxes for Merkava tanks that have been used in Gaza.

The rights group also says Israel has repeatedly violated the ceasefire and continued to restrict aid into Gaza. Amnesty records at least 69,733 Palestinian deaths since October 7, 2023, and reported that at least four people were killed in Gaza on the Monday the reversal took effect.

International context

Germany is the world’s second-largest supplier of weapons to Israel after the United States. Critics say Washington has so far declined to condition its substantial arms transfers on restrictions tied to Israel’s actions.

Germany’s government says the decision to lift the partial embargo reflects changed conditions following the ceasefire, while maintaining that each future export will be reviewed individually.

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