Berlin should not allow Israel to produce weapons in Germany, says lawmaker

BERLIN

Germany’s defense cooperation with Israel under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is unacceptable, Left Party lawmaker Mirze Edis said, warning that it could draw Berlin deeper into Middle East conflicts.

In an interview with Anadolu, Edis said the Left Party strongly opposes Volkswagen’s reported talks with an Israeli defense company to produce missile-system components at its Osnabruck plant, a project reportedly backed by the German government.

“Ever since Netanyahu and his fascist government have been in power, they have essentially turned the entire Middle East into war zones,” the lawmaker said. “The German government must think twice, three times, four times before giving this Israeli government the opportunity to produce its weapons here.”

Edis stressed that allowing the Israeli government’s defense projects to move forward in Germany could make Berlin complicit in the Netanyahu government’s war crimes and crimes against humanity.

“If we just look at Gaza, Netanyahu’s fascist government has committed a genocide there. Resulting in murder, rape, and, in some cases, the displacement of over a hundred thousand people,” he said. “And I believe that through these arms deliveries to Israel in recent years, the German government also has blood on its hands.”

Germany’s automotive giant Volkswagen is reportedly discussing a partnership that could repurpose the Osnabruck factory -- threatened with closure next year after its current car production run ends -- to manufacture components for the Israeli air defense system Iron Dome, including launchers, transport vehicles, and power generators, according to The Financial Times.

‘We cannot think of securing jobs at the expense of other people’s lives’

The Left Party lawmaker questioned Volkswagen’s plans to close the facility, noting that the company is facing difficulties but is not bankrupt and is planning further investments in other countries, such as Canada. He warned that shifting Germany’s auto industry toward military production offers no sustainable solution to its current challenges.

“If you start producing them for your own defense, there comes a point where you can’t produce any more. Unless, of course, you run a business like the US, where you potentially instigate wars in other regions so the arms industry can continue to survive,” Edis said.

“We cannot think of securing jobs at the expense of other people’s lives by supporting wars in other countries,” he stressed.

Germany’s automotive giant has not yet officially confirmed talks with Israel’s state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems about shifting production at its Osnabruck plant from cars to missile defense system components.

A Volkswagen spokesperson told Anadolu that there are currently no concrete decisions or conclusions on the future direction of the site. “The production of weapons by Volkswagen AG remains ruled out for the future, and we do not engage in speculation regarding further plans for the Osnabruck site,” the spokesman added.

Media reports suggest the German government is “actively supporting” the potential partnership, viewing it as a way to safeguard jobs amid the automotive sector’s transformation and intense global competition.

Government spokesman Steffen Meyer said this week that Berlin has taken note of the reports but would not comment on specifics. He added that the government welcomes initiatives that protect employment in Germany.

Edis also sharply criticized Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s coalition, accusing it of ramping up defense spending and bolstering the arms industry while cutting social programs and delaying public investments.

“Ultimately, this whole campaign is about Friedrich Merz and his government lobbying for the arms industry, which only seeks to enrich arms companies,” he said.

“Every day, there are reports that Russia might attack Germany. This is being used to instill fear in people and gain acceptance for the arms race they’re pushing.”