Five Palestinians residing in the Gaza Strip have taken legal action against the German government, filing a complaint in Berlin over its supply of weapons to Israel, announced an NGO representing them on Friday.
The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) disclosed that the complaint aims to “revoke the export licenses granted by the German government for arms shipments to Israel.”
A spokeswoman for the administrative court in Berlin confirmed the reception of the complaint on Thursday evening. The five complainants reside in various areas of the Gaza Strip, including Rafah, the spokeswoman affirmed.
The Palestinians are contesting “the authorization already granted for the provision of anti-tank weapons” and are advocating for halting shipments that have not yet received authorization, the spokeswoman elaborated.
The complaint targets the German economy ministry, which now has a two-week window to provide a response.
According to the ECCHR, all five Palestinians have experienced the loss of family members due to Israeli missile attacks.
The plaintiffs argue that Berlin is neglecting its obligations under international law, including the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention.
“Germany cannot maintain its commitment to its principles if it exports weapons to a conflict marked by serious breaches of international humanitarian law,” commented Wolfgang Kaleck, the general secretary of the ECCHR.
Between 2019 and 2023, Germany ranked as the second-largest arms exporter to Israel, accounting for 30 percent of imports, as per the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Last week, Nicaragua criticized Germany at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over its support for Israel, labeling it “pathetic” to provide weapons to Israel while simultaneously offering aid in Gaza.
Nicaragua has urged the ICJ to impose emergency measures to prevent Berlin from supplying Israel with weapons and other forms of assistance.
In response, Berlin’s representatives at the ICJ affirmed that Germany only supplies arms after thorough scrutiny, which surpasses the requirements of international law.
Since the commencement of its genocidal war on Gaza on October 7, Israel has caused the deaths of nearly 34,000 individuals and injured 76,000, with two-thirds being women and children.
