Germany’s representative Julia Monar has told the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that Berlin supports both Israel’s security and the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, seeking to balance the two competing positions.
"Germany is committed both to the existence and security of the State of Israel as well as to the full realisation of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination," Monar said on Wednesday during Germany's second round of oral arguments on its preliminary objections in the case Nicaragua vs. Germany.
"The German government actively engages in all efforts to end the conflict and in supporting a negotiated two-state solution through diplomatic means available to it," she added.
Nicaragua sued Germany at the ICJ in 2024, saying Berlin’s arms and other support for Israel facilitated genocide and violations in Gaza.
Adjudicating Nicaragua's claims
Samuel Wordsworth, a lawyer representing Germany, argued that adjudicating Nicaragua's claims would require the ICJ to rule on whether Israel had committed genocide and other violations.
During hearings in April 2024, 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.
The ICJ ruled that there was not a sufficient degree of urgency to justify ordering provisional measures but drew attention to the prolonged and widespread deprivation of food and other basic necessities among civilians.
