The co-leader of Germany’s Left Party, Ines Schwerdtner, has welcomed the decision by Chancellor Friedrich Merz to halt the delivery of certain weapons to Israel, describing the move as “long overdue”. Speaking on Tuesday, Schwerdtner urged the German government to go further and formally recognize a Palestinian state.
Schwerdtner argued that Germany and particularly the federal government, had for too long been a passive observer of events. She stated that any weapon used to harm civilians in the Gaza Strip contributes to further loss of life and should have been addressed sooner.
The Left Party leader contends that the partial halt to weapons deliveries is insufficient, calling for a complete cessation of arms shipments to the conflict zone to prevent the perpetuation of potential war crimes. She emphasized the widespread international recognition of Palestinian statehood – over 140 countries currently recognize Palestine – and criticized Germany’s perceived inaction, suggesting it makes the country complicit in hindering peace negotiations.
Schwerdtner also called for sanctions to be imposed on members of the Israeli cabinet, specifically referencing statements made by ministers affiliated with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. She asserted that rhetoric advocating for the displacement or starvation of Palestinians constitutes war crimes, warranting punitive measures.