German Left Party lawmaker: Volkswagen-Israel weapons deal would make Berlin complicit in 'genocide'

Germany's defense cooperation with Israel under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is unacceptable, Left Party lawmaker Mirze Edis said, warning that it could draw Berlin deeper into Middle East conflicts. In an interview with Anadolu, Edis said the Left Party strongly opposes Volkswagen's reported talks with an Israeli defense company to produce missile-system components at its Osnabruck plant, a project reportedly backed by the German government.

Criticism of Netanyahu government

"Ever since Netanyahu and his fascist government have been in power, they have essentially turned the entire Middle East into war zones," the lawmaker said. "The German government must think twice, three times, four times before giving this Israeli government the opportunity to produce its weapons here." Edis stressed that allowing the Israeli government's defense projects to move forward in Germany could make Berlin complicit in the Netanyahu government's war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Gaza genocide accusation

"If we just look at Gaza, Netanyahu's fascist government has committed a genocide there. Resulting in murder, rape, and, in some cases, the displacement of over a hundred thousand people," he said. "And I believe that through these arms deliveries to Israel in recent years, the German government also has blood on its hands."

Volkswagen and jobs

The Left Party lawmaker questioned Volkswagen's plans to close the facility, noting that the company is facing difficulties but is not bankrupt and is planning further investments in other countries, such as Canada. He warned that shifting Germany's auto industry toward military production offers no sustainable solution to its current challenges. "We cannot think of securing jobs at the expense of other people's lives by supporting wars in other countries," he stressed.

Government response

A Volkswagen spokesperson told Anadolu that there are currently no concrete decisions or conclusions on the future direction of the site. "The production of weapons by Volkswagen AG remains ruled out for the future, and we do not engage in speculation regarding further plans for the Osnabruck site," the spokesman added. Government spokesman Steffen Meyer said Berlin has taken note of the reports but would not comment on specifics, adding that the government welcomes initiatives that protect employment in Germany.

Broader criticism

Edis also sharply criticized Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition, accusing it of ramping up defense spending and bolstering the arms industry while cutting social programs and delaying public investments. "Ultimately, this whole campaign is about Friedrich Merz and his government lobbying for the arms industry, which only seeks to enrich arms companies," he said.