Germany’s decision to partially block weapons exports to Israel has opened a rift in Friedrich Merz’s fledgling coalition.

For decades, Germany has been perhaps Europe’s most ardent supporter of Israel, a policy rooted in its guilt over the Holocaust.

Elsewhere in Europe , leaders are under pressure at home to adopt a tougher stance on Israel after Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to fully occupy the Gaza Strip .

The opposite is the case in Germany. The chancellor’s arms embargo has sparked a rebellion within his coalition, with some warning that the move will play into the hands of Hamas.

Hastily announced last week, Mr Merz’s embargo will block German exports of weapons that would be used inside Gaza, in a sign of Berlin’s disapproval of the new Israeli plan to occupy the devast

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