Rather than reckon with its continued diplomatic and military support for Israel during its genocidal war on Gaza, Germany is challenging the legality of a case brought against it at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
German representatives on Monday challenged ICJ jurisdiction in the case brought by Nicaragua that accuses Berlin of providing political, financial, and military support for the genocide in Gaza.
Hearings in the case are taking place in The Hague.
During the first round of hearings, the German delegation presented its preliminary objections to the court’s judges, arguing that the case cannot proceed because Israel is not a party to the case.
Julia Monar, a legal adviser at the German foreign ministry, said Berlin’s support for Israel did not amount to a violation of international law.
She cited Germany’s financial contributions to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) as evidence of its support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
Monar also said Germany suspended the approval of export licences for weapons that could be used in Gaza between August 8 and November 23 2025.
She said the processing of arms export licences resumed only towards the end of 2025, arguing that the decision was directly linked to the ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025.
After Germany lifted the export restrictions on November 24 2025, German defence manufacturers were granted licences to supply Israel with military equipment worth $929 million between January and June this year.
According to German magazine Der Spiegel, the information was contained in a written response by the German Economy and Energy Ministry to a parliamentary question submitted by the opposition Left Party, or Die Linke.
Other German representatives said the ICJ must drop the case because there’s no argument between Nicaragua and Germany and the matter falls outside the court’s jurisdiction.
Germany will complete its defence on Wednesday during the second round of hearings, while Nicaragua will present its oral arguments to the court on Tuesday and Thursday.
Nicaragua filed a case against Germany at the ICJ on March 1 2024, accusing Berlin of “facilitating the commission of genocide” by providing Israel with political, financial, and military support.
Nicaragua argued that Germany was Israel’s second-largest arms supplier and could not have been unaware that the munitions were being used in the genocide in Gaza.
It also pointed out that Germany had sent tank shells, drones, and warship ammunition to Israel while cutting aid to Palestinians.
