German Chancellor Scholz promises arms supply to Israel

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that his country will continue to supply weapons to Israel, saying, “There are deliveries, and there will always be more deliveries. Israel can rely on this.”

Chancellor Scholz addressed the Federal Diet (Bundestag). He mentioned that he would invite leading business associations and unions in the country to a meeting in October to create a new policy to save the industry in Europe’s largest economy. Scholz, stating that “we must fight for industry in Germany. Germany is an industrial country,” pointed out that one of the important questions is how to provide cheap energy.

Scholz said that the European Union needs to make free trade agreements and ensure that these agreements are not solely dependent on individual countries’ decisions. Criticizing the EU’s decision to impose tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars, Scholz expressed that all the automotive manufacturers’ executives he spoke with, as well as 17 other countries, were skeptical. Scholz stated, “My demand is for an agreement to be reached between China and the European Union.” He added that Germany needs to discuss how it can support other sectors beyond its industrial sector, saying, “Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, OpenAI, none of these are European or German companies.”

“Weapon supply to Israel will continue”

Scholz promised more arms shipments for Israel’s ongoing attacks on the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. He said, “There are deliveries, and there will always be. Israel can rely on this.” Emphasizing that Germany must keep Israel in a position to defend itself, Scholz stated, “Israel can rely on our solidarity, now and in the future.” He noted that civilians in Gaza still need humanitarian aid while stating that international legal rules must be respected in conflicts in the Middle East.

“I am ready to talk to Putin”

Touching upon the war in Ukraine, Scholz said, “In addition to our open support for Ukraine, it is time for us to do everything we can to explore how we can reach a situation where this war will not last forever.” Scholz expressed that he is “ready” to talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin for a peaceful resolution of the situation in Ukraine. He emphasized that a peace conference for Ukraine should be organized with Russia’s participation. Germany has become the country that provides the most military support to Ukraine after the USA.