Germany asks ICJ to dismiss Nicaragua case over Israel arms exports
Berlin disputes the court’s jurisdiction and Nicaragua’s procedures in a case alleging German weapons sales aided genocide in Gaza.
Germany has asked the International Court of Justice to dismiss Nicaragua’s case alleging that German arms exports to Israel breached the Genocide Convention during the war in Gaza, Deutsche Welle reports.
Berlin argues that the ICJ lacks jurisdiction and that Nicaragua did not follow the required procedures before filing the case. Germany also disputes the allegation that its exports aided and abetted genocide.
Nicaragua says the case should proceed because both countries are parties to the Genocide Convention. It alleges that weapons supplied by Germany to Israel have been used in Gaza.
The court rejected Nicaragua’s request for an emergency injunction halting German exports in 2024. Germany’s earlier attempt to secure an immediate and permanent dismissal also failed, leaving the jurisdictional challenge before the court.
Germany says its weapons exports are documented, published and subject to strict review procedures. Information published by Germany’s Bundestag said about €167 million in exports to Israel were approved between November 2025 and March 2026.
The ICJ has not yet decided whether it will hear the case. Any full proceedings could depend in part on separate litigation concerning allegations against Israel in Gaza, while a decision on Germany’s dismissal request is tentatively expected in 2026.
