Key facts
- Germany is defending itself at the UN's International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Nicaragua's claims of facilitating genocide in Gaza.
- Berlin argues the ICJ lacks jurisdiction and that Nicaragua failed to establish a legal dispute before filing the case.
- Germany's legal adviser stated Nicaragua was not interested in Germany's view but simply in bringing Germany before the court.
- Germany has been Israel's second-largest arms supplier after the United States.
- Nicaragua accuses Germany of violating the Genocide Convention by supplying weapons to Israel despite awareness of potential misuse in Gaza.
- Germany's government authorized nearly €800 million in military exports to Israel in the first half of 2026, a significant increase.
Germany is defending its arms sales to Israel at the UN's International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, responding to a case brought by Nicaragua. Nicaragua accuses Germany of facilitating genocide in Gaza by supplying arms to Israel and violating international humanitarian law. Germany has formally requested the ICJ dismiss the case, arguing that the court lacks jurisdiction and that Nicaragua failed to establish a legal dispute before initiating proceedings. Julia Monar, legal adviser at the German foreign ministry, told judges that Nicaragua's conduct indicated disinterest in Germany's views and a sole aim to bring Germany before the court. Germany also contends that Nicaragua did not properly notify it of the allegations or allow sufficient time for a response. Berlin plans to argue that Israel is an indispensable third party, and the court cannot rule on Germany's responsibility without determining Israel's conduct, citing the ICJ’s Monetary Gold principle. Nicaragua is expected to counter that the proceedings focus on Germany's obligations, not Israel's state responsibility. German government figures show a significant increase in military export approvals to Israel in the first half of 2026, totaling nearly €800 million, a substantial rise from the previous year. The ICJ previously declined to impose provisional measures in April 2024, though it did not remove the case from its list.