Germans March to Protest Volkswagen's Israel Arms Deal
The protest centered on Volkswagen's controversial plan to convert its Osnabrück manufacturing plant into a production facility for weapons and military equipment destined for Israel, a move demonstrators condemned as morally indefensible.
Oliver Streck, a university student, told media that the situation troubled him deeply — particularly given the German government's repeated denials of weapons transfers to Israel.
"The German government sends parts for tanks and artillery ammunition used in Gaza," he said.
"For a state that claims to defend human rights to provide weapons to a state that clearly violates human rights and commits genocide, this is hypocrisy and a violation of the German constitution," he added.
His words were backed by data: according to Amnesty International, Germany ranks as the second-largest supplier of arms to Israel, trailing only the United States.
Gaza at the Core
A protester who identified himself only by his first name, Helmut, drew a direct line between the massacre in Gaza and the broader destabilization of the Middle East, accusing Western governments of speaking from both sides of their mouths — unwilling to either defend or condemn the bloodshed.
"There are two international courts accusing Israel of genocide, and the International Criminal Court is almost paralyzed due to fear of sanctions coming from America," he said.
Historical Responsibility
Fellow student Philip, who also withheld his surname, described the plan to repurpose a civilian automotive factory as a weapons production hub as flatly unacceptable.
"These weapons will either be sold in Europe or, I think even worse, probably go to Israel.
"We have a historical responsibility … It is to defend international law and protect human rights.
"Therefore, I find the idea that we may be supplying weapons to a genocide that has been progressing steadily for decades unacceptable," he said.
Demonstrator Marie Dominique Guillard said she stands against all wars and the accelerating global arms race, calling instead for a world order grounded in diplomacy and respect for international law as the only credible path to lasting peace.
Germany Must Do More
Protester Johann Wen delivered perhaps the most sweeping indictment of the German government's posture, placing blame squarely on Berlin for its inaction.
"The German government … does nothing beyond issuing warnings.
"We are currently witnessing Israel in cahoots with the US, starting wars in various countries. Israel carried out a war that caused the deaths of approximately 100,000 people in Gaza alone, and also led to the complete destruction of homes, civilian infrastructure, and water and electricity networks.
"Israel used hunger as a weapon in this war and attacks on Gaza have still not ended, its army still occupies more than half of Gaza. Currently, Israel is also waging war in Lebanon and … the war in Iran," Wen said.
"According to reliable figures, they caused 4 million or more people to lose their homes and their livelihoods. And I find this terrifying.
"There is very little critical reporting on this in Germany. It is presented as if it is entirely about Israel's self-defense.
"And I think this is wrong," he said.
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