The Joint Conference on Church and Development (GKKE) has sharply criticized the recent lifting of the partial arms embargo on Israel, deeming the move premature and potentially destabilizing. Presenting their 2025 Arms Export Report in Berlin on Monday, the GKKE argued that a genuine stabilization of the situation in the Gaza Strip must be achieved before any further arms exports are authorized.
Last year, the GKKE urged the German government to halt all arms deliveries to Israel that could be deployed in Gaza, a call that ultimately led to an August 2025 embargo following the escalation of hostilities. The recent decision to rescind this measure has drawn significant scrutiny from the organization.
Beyond the Israel-Gaza dynamic, the report also raised concerns about arms exports to autocratic states in the Middle East, specifically mentioning Saudi Arabia. The GKKE contends that these sales do not contribute to Israel’s security and are more likely to exacerbate regional tensions. Anne Gidion, the evangelical chair of the GKKE, directly criticized government plans to ease restrictions on arms exports to India, calling aspirations to leverage increased exports to shift India away from Russian suppliers unrealistic and a threat to established international standards.
Adding another layer of political complexity, Max Mutschler, head of the GKKE’s Arms Exports Working Group, highlighted the government’s commitment, enshrined in the coalition agreement, to a “strategically aligned” arms export policy. Initial steps to treat potential arms export volume as a binding allocation criterion have already been initiated.
However, Mutschler strongly condemned the perceived prioritization of economic interests within this policy framework. While acknowledging the need to consider security interests, he asserted that the government should not primarily base arms export decisions on foreign policy, economic, or security interests, but rather prioritize human rights, democracy and peace. This raises fundamental questions about the extent to which political and economic considerations are shaping Germany’s arms export policies and the potential impact on international stability and human rights. The GKKE’s report underscores a growing disconnect between government strategy and the ethical responsibilities inherent in the export of military goods.