In a statement, the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, called on its 46 member states to ensure that weapons are not used in human rights violations in Gaza, stressing the need to make every effort to prevent and address legal violations.
"This includes applying legal standards to ensure that arms transfers are not permitted when there is a risk that they will be used to commit violations of fundamental rights," O'Flaherty noted.
Last June, O'Flaherty expressed his concern to German authorities regarding restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly imposed on protesters protesting the genocide perpetrated by the Israeli occupation forces in the Gaza Strip over the past 22 months.
The Council of Europe, based in Strasbourg, is the continent's watchdog on democracy and human rights.
For his part, Israeli Ambassador to Berlin Ron Prosor criticized Germany's decision to partially halt arms exports to Israel, asserting that it "represents a severe blow to relations between the two countries."
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During an interview with Welt TV on Tuesday, Prosor stated that relations have not been completely severed, but are experiencing real tension, adding that "the current discussion is about disarming Israel, not disarming Hamas."
"This is a celebration for Hamas," he continued, acknowledging the possibility of discussing the Israeli strategy, but if the response is "leaving the country defenseless and unarmed, then that means leaving Israel defenseless," he said.
Last week, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a suspension of arms exports that Israel might use during the Gaza war, marking a major shift in policy for Berlin, a traditional ally of Israel.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with American support, has been committing genocide in Gaza, including killing, starvation, destruction, and displacement, ignoring international appeals and orders from the International Court of Justice to halt the campaign. The genocide has left 61,499 Palestinians dead, 153,575 injured, and more than 9,000 missing. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced, and a famine has claimed the lives of many, including dozens of children.
