NGOs call on German government to stop arms exports to Israel

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) - A group of more than 30 NGOs have called on the German government to immediately stop arms exports to Israel and undertake stronger diplomatic efforts to achieve a cease-fire in Gaza.

The groups, including peace movement Pax Christi, Oxfam Germany, and Amnesty International, sent an open letter on Thursday to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and asked the government to comply with its obligations under international law, and use its influence on the Israeli government.

“Stop the export of war weapons and other military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza or the occupied West Bank,” the groups said in their letter, warning that these weapons could be used to commit serious human rights violations.

“We call on you to live up to your own responsibilities under international law, take all available measures to increase pressure on Israel to implement the demands of the International Court of Justice, and end the blockade on the delivery of essential humanitarian aid to Gaza,” the groups said.

“Do everything in your power to ensure respect for international humanitarian law in Gaza by all parties involved in the conflict,” they also stressed.

The Munich-based Jewish-Palestinian Dialogue Group, Doctors of the World, CARE Germany, and medico international were among the 37 NGOs that signed the joint letter sent to the government.

Germany has been a staunch ally of Israel, and German government officials have repeatedly said that the country bears special responsibility for Israel’s security due to its Nazi past.

Israel has waged a military offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023 cross-border attack by Hamas which killed some 1,200 people.

More than 34,600 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and 77,800 others injured amid mass destruction and severe shortages of necessities.

More than six months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins, pushing 85% of the enclave’s population into internal displacement amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine, according to the UN.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered Tel Aviv to ensure its forces do not commit acts of genocide and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.