73 percent of Germans support tightening arms export controls to Israel.

A poll published Wednesday showed that about 73 percent of Germans support tightening controls on arms exports to Israel, including 30 percent who favor a complete ban, reflecting growing public dissatisfaction with Israeli government policy, according to Reuters.

Since Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Germany has remained one of Israel's staunchest allies and its second-largest arms supplier, despite Israel's growing international isolation and mounting criticism over its devastating war in Gaza.

According to a response to a parliamentary investigation published Tuesday, between the Hamas attack and mid-May of this year, Germany approved the export of military equipment to Israel worth €485 million ($553.72 million).

These shipments included weapons, ammunition, arms spare parts, army and navy equipment, electronic equipment, and armored vehicles.

No lawsuit against German arms exports to Israel has been successful so far, including a case brought by Nicaragua at the International Court of Justice.

But Germany's position shifted last week when new Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized Israel's intensified airstrikes on Gaza, describing them as no longer justified or understandable. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul warned of possible consequences, hinting at steps toward sanctions related to arms exports.

A poll conducted by the German Broadcasting Corporation (DfB) showed that three out of four Germans support Meretz's criticism of Israeli operations in Gaza.

The poll, which surveyed 1,292 people and was conducted on June 2 and 3, concluded that 55 percent reject the idea that Germany bears a special responsibility to protect Israel due to the legacy of the Nazi era.

Thirteen percent of those surveyed believe that Germany should stand unconditionally with Israel in the Middle East conflict, while 74 percent oppose this position.

In addition, 63 percent believed that Israel's military response to Gaza went too far, a six-point increase since August, while 73 percent considered Israel's military actions unjustified.