The Israeli government expects Germany to lift a partial suspension of arms exports to the country and a travel ban to certain areas following the agreed ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, DPA reports, quoted by BTA.
“Now that there is no longer a war, we expect the German government to lift these restrictions“, said Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharen Haskell during her visit to Berlin yesterday.
Haskell supports Germany's involvement in the current peace process and added that her country considers Berlin a “reliable player“. She would not mind Germany's involvement in a peacekeeping force in the enclave.
When asked if Germany's historical legacy could be a cause for concern, Haskell replied confidently: "We believe you," recalling the demonstrations of solidarity with Israel in Germany after the attack by the radical Palestinian group Hamas on October 7, 2023, which triggered the Gaza war.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz ordered on August 8 a temporary suspension of German arms exports to Israel that could be used in the conflict. The decision was motivated by the growing aggression from the Israeli army, DPA recalls.
Until then, Germany had avoided direct sanctions, although it gradually increased its criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet.
After the ceasefire, Merz said that the restrictions should be reviewed, adding that he would like to coordinate with the ruling coalition - including the CDU, CSU and SPD.
The leaders of Merz's conservative parliamentary group called for the restrictions to be lifted quickly, while the Social Democrats have not yet come up with a position, DPA notes.
After the conflict broke out, the German Foreign Ministry issued a travel warning for certain parts of Israel, which currently applies to the entire territory of the country.