Israel Pressures and Germany Reconsiders: Will the Military Ban be Lifted After Gaza Ceasefire?

SadaNews: In the wake of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, attention turns to Berlin where the Israeli occupation government hopes that Germany will initiate the lifting of the partial ban on arms exports, along with ending travel warnings to certain areas within Israel.

This shift came after statements by Sharren Haskel, Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister, during her visit to the German capital, where she said: "Now that the war has ended, we expect the German government to lift these two restrictions".

Haskel emphasized Israel's appreciation for ongoing German support, expressing confidence in Berlin's role as an active participant in peace efforts, and even indicated her country's readiness to accept German participation in a potential peacekeeping force. She added: "We trust you," referring to the German solidarity demonstrations following the events of October 7, 2023, which she considered evidence of the German people's support for Israel.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had ordered a temporary halt to arms exports to Israel in August 2023, a move seen as an implicit criticism of Netanyahu's government policies, despite avoiding direct sanctions. With the ceasefire now in effect, Merz indicated that these restrictions "will need to be reconsidered," stressing the importance of coordinating with coalition partners before making any decision.

In contrast, the conservative parliamentary bloc to which Merz belongs has called for a swift lifting of the restrictions, while the Social Democratic Party remains hesitant in announcing its final position, reflecting ongoing debate within the German government.

As for travel, the German Foreign Office had issued comprehensive travel warnings to Israel since the outbreak of war, urging citizens to avoid moving in Tel Aviv until further notice.