Germany has denied allegations that it was aiding genocide in Gaza by selling Israel arms during a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), brought by Nicaragua. Tania von Uslar-Gleichen, the legal adviser for the German Foreign Ministry, argued that Nicaragua’s case was rushed, based on scant evidence, and should be dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction. Von Uslar-Gleichen stated that Germany’s arms exports were scrutinized for compliance with international law, and Israel’s security was a priority for Germany, given the history of the Nazi decimation of Jews. Germany is Israel’s largest individual donor of humanitarian aid to Palestinians and one of its biggest military suppliers, sending 326.5 million euros ($353.7m) in equipment and weapons in 2023.
Since the October 7 attacks led by the Palestinian group Hamas, which governs Gaza, and Israel’s subsequent assault on Gaza, Germany and other Western nations have faced street protests, various legal cases, and accusations of hypocrisy from campaign groups who argue that Israel has killed too many Palestinian civilians in its six-month assault. A lawyer for Germany, Christian Tams, told the court that since October 7, 98 per cent of arms exports to Israel were general equipment like vests, helmets, and binoculars.
Of four cases where war weapons exports were approved, he said, three concerned arms unsuitable for use in combat and meant for training. Nicaraguan ambassador Carlos Arguello told journalists that the case at this preliminary stage did not hinge on the amount of Germany’s military aid but simply its existence.
An ICJ ruling on Nicaragua’s requested emergency measures is expected in weeks. A final judgement on the merits of the case is expected to take years, and the court has no power to enforce it. Earlier in January, in response to an accusation from South Africa, the ICJ ruled that claims Israel violated some rights guaranteed under the Genocide Convention were plausible and called for a halt to any potential acts of genocide.
Please, subscribe to the YouTube channel of republicpolicy.com
