In a bold move, a group of around 600 German civil servants have written an open letter to Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other senior ministers, calling for an immediate cessation of arm deliveries to the Israeli government. The civil servants argue that Israel's actions in Gaza violate international law and the German Constitution, citing the International Court of Justice's ruling that deems Israel's military actions as "plausible acts of genocide."

Organizers of the five-page statement have revealed that the initiative has gained momentum through professional networks and word-of-mouth across various ministries. The group also demands that the German government pressure Israel to implement an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, reinstate payments to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and actively advocate for the recognition of a Palestinian state within the internationally recognized 1967 borders.

Concerns have been raised over Germany's increasing arms exports to Israel, which amounted to 326.5 million euros ($354 million) in 2023, a tenfold increase compared to the previous year. This surge in arms exports has made Germany the second-largest supplier, providing 30 percent of Israel's military weapons. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute further highlights that 99 percent of Israel's arms come from the United States and Germany.

The civil servants, who remain anonymous due to fears of state repression, sent the statement via email to ministries last week. They describe a "climate of fear" within the civil service, with one senior manager affirming that it is unlike anything they have experienced in their 15 years of service. Internal complaints about supporting Israel's alleged war crimes were met with warnings, with discussions being discouraged via email to avoid creating a paper trail.

The signees of the statement comprise a diverse range of civil servants, with a notable presence of younger women and individuals with international experience. Diplomats are particularly concerned about the detrimental impact on Germany's reputation and international relationships, especially with Muslim countries.

The group plans to publish the statement on LinkedIn on April 8, coinciding with Germany's defense against charges brought by Nicaragua at the Hague. Nicaragua alleges that Germany's support for Israel violates the Genocide Convention.

This movement is not isolated to Germany, as civil servants internationally are increasingly voicing their opposition to Western support for Israel. In February, 800 civil servants from the United States and the European Union signed a "transatlantic statement," warning that such support could lead to grave violations of international law.

The initiators of the German civil servants' statement include Angelique Eijpe, who resigned from the Dutch foreign ministry over Gaza policy, expressing concerns about the abandonment of international humanitarian law. The Netherlands recently lost a court case related to delivering F-35 fighter planes that could potentially be used in war crimes in Gaza.

Another initiator, a trained jurist, fears not only the loss of employment but also prosecution and imprisonment due to the current "utterly lawless situation" in Germany post-October 7. The initiator claims that rights are being disregarded when it comes to Palestine and that the situation necessitated the writing of the letter.

As of now, there has been no response from Germany's foreign ministry regarding the civil servants' statement and demands.

The willingness of civil servants to break their silence and openly criticize the government's support for Israel highlights the growing concern over allegations of war crimes and human rights violations. It remains to be seen how this movement will impact Germany's arms exports and relationships with both Israel and other nations in the coming days.