ICJ rejects imposing measures on Berlin over Israel aid

International Court of Justice (ICJ) decided to turn down Nicaragua’s case against Germany looking to block Berlin from future weapon exports to Israel on Tuesday.

“The circumstances are not such as to require the exercise of its power under Article 41 of the statute to indicate provisional measures,” Judge Nawaf Salam stated, emphasising that the German government carefully examines whether particular aid subject to licensing would be used in the “commission of genocide, crimes against humanity,” or “grave breaches of the Geneva conventions.” The judge stated citing Germany’s case that the country’s arms exports to Israel since November 2023 “significantly reduced,” going from 200 million euros in October to €1 million in March 2024.

The judge added that, according to Germany, Berlin granted only 4 licenses since October 2023, of which only one included the export of 3,000 portable anti-tank weapons. Namely, Israel is said to have approached Germany for tank ammunition, but that “no decision” was made regarding the request.