82% of Germans Oppose Military Support to “Genocidal Israel”

A survey commissioned by the Körber Foundation and conducted by the Forsa Public Opinion Research Institute found that 82% of Germans are against military support for Israel’s attacks on Gaza.
Only 15% of participants approved of military aid to Israel.

The survey, conducted from September 15–26 with more than 1,500 Germans, also revealed that 73% believe the German government should apply stronger diplomatic pressure on Israel.

The poll also indicated a fundamental shift in Germans’ views on their historical responsibilities.
60% of Germans reject the idea that their country has a special responsibility toward Israel due to the Holocaust, while only 38% support this traditional stance.

Germany approved a total of €492 million in arms sales to Israel from October 8, 2023, to June 5, 2025.
Due to growing public pressure, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz imposed restrictions on arms exports to Israel in August, but these restrictions were lifted as of November 24, 2025.

US No Longer the Most Important Partner
The survey also showed that 73% of Germans rate relations with the US as “bad” and no longer see the country as their most important partner.
Only 26% still consider the US a key partner.
According to German opinion, for the first time in three years, the US is no longer the most important partner in German foreign policy.
Instead, 46% of participants now view France as a central partner in foreign policy.
Only 38% see the US as a reliable partner regarding the war in Ukraine, and just 23% consider the US an ally in Germany’s global struggle for democracy.