Germany’s SPD lawmakers demand immediate halt to arms supplies to Israel Amid Gaza War Crime Allegations

Amid growing alarm over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and potential war crimes, influential members of Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) are calling for an immediate suspension of weapons exports to Israel.

Adis Ahmetovic, the SPD’s foreign affairs spokesperson, emphasised the moral imperative in an interview with Stern magazine: “German weapons must not be used to fuel humanitarian disasters or violate international law. We therefore call on Netanyahu’s government to agree to a ceasefire and return to negotiations,” Caliber.Az reports.

Veteran SPD politician Ralf Stegner described the situation in Gaza as a “humanitarian catastrophe” and an outright breach of international law that requires urgent action. He criticised the German government’s past stance, which has permitted arms deliveries to Israel despite the country’s involvement in an active conflict. “The suffering of Palestinian children from hunger and deprivation has nothing to do with fighting terrorism,” Stegner said.

Calls for a halt to arms exports are also growing among the SPD’s grassroots. A motion passed at a recent Berlin regional conference demands a complete stop to weapons shipments to Israel. Similar initiatives are underway in other party regions ahead of the federal SPD conference in June. Berlin MP Hakan Demir stated, “It is wrong to supply weapons given the serious doubts over compliance with international law.”

Adding a legal dimension to the debate, Baden-Württemberg MP Isabel Cademartori warned that continuing arms exports could expose Germany to prosecution by international courts for complicity in war crimes. She urged the government to restrict exports, particularly tank ammunition and spare parts, while allowing exceptions only for Israel’s ‘Iron Dome’ missile defence system.

The calls come as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens. Since a fragile ceasefire collapsed earlier this year, Israel has announced plans to militarily eliminate Hamas and permanently occupy the Gaza Strip, with Palestinian residents expected to be resettled. A strict blockade imposed since March has severely restricted food and aid supplies, prompting repeated warnings from humanitarian organisations of an impending famine. Although limited food aid has recently been allowed, the situation remains dire.

The mounting SPD pressure reflects broader concerns in Germany about the legal and ethical ramifications of continuing arms deliveries to Israel amid ongoing hostilities and widespread civilian suffering. The debate is expected to intensify ahead of the party’s federal conference, potentially reshaping Germany’s arms export policy towards the region.