German defense manufacturer Renk announced it will relocate production of weapons destined for Israel to the United States, following Chancellor Friedrich Merz's decision to suspend arms deliveries to Israel. The move is intended to bypass new German restrictions and ensure continued support for Israel's military capabilities. Renk's chief executive emphasized the company's commitment to Israel's security, noting that the affected products represent a small portion of its overall portfolio.
Merz's unilateral decision to halt arms shipments, motivated by concerns over domestic instability linked to the Gaza conflict, has sparked controversy within his own party and its Bavarian counterpart. Critics argue that the suspension undermines Germany's longstanding responsibility to Israel and could have negative implications for security cooperation between the two countries.