A member of Germany’s Christian Social Union (CSU) parliamentary group, Stephan Mayer, has voiced strong criticism regarding the federal government’s partial halt to arms exports to Israel. Mayer stated the decision was made without sufficient consultation with his party.
Speaking on RTL and ntv on Saturday, Mayer asserted that the decision, reportedly involving Chancellor Friedrich Merz, was reached without intensive prior discussion or agreement with the CSU leadership. He directly refuted claims of unanimous consent among coalition partners.
Mayer characterized the move as largely symbolic, arguing it is likely to be more detrimental than beneficial. He believes the decision is fundamentally misguided, labeling it a form of ineffective “symbolic politics.
The CSU politician highlighted Germany’s reliance on Israel in several security-related areas, including the procurement of missile defense systems and intelligence sharing. He emphasized that Germany is significantly more dependent on Israel than vice versa. Strategically, Mayer views the partial export halt as counterproductive, suggesting it indirectly rewards Hamas, which he described as a “brutal, inhumane terrorist organization.
Mayer acknowledged the limited ability of the German Parliament to directly challenge the government’s decision, explaining that rulings made within the National Security Council are not subject to immediate parliamentary involvement. However, he cautioned against long-term repercussions and predicted no immediate positive outcomes from the export halt. “This decision will not lead to the release of a single hostage, nor will it aid a single hungry child in the Gaza Strip” he stated. Mayer affirmed that the primary objective remains the dismantling of Hamas.
