German lawyers sue Chancellor Olaf Scholz over 'complicity' in Gaza genocide

German lawyers representing Palestinian families from the Gaza Strip have filed a criminal complaint against German officials – including Chancellor Olaf Sholz – for supplying Israel with weapons that they say aid and abet Israel's ongoing genocide in their homeland.

Prosecutors from the Federal Prosecutor's office in Karlsruhe will examine the case, and if it goes ahead it will open an investigation and question government officials including the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, foreign affairs minister Annalena Baerbock, finance minister Christian Lindner, and members of the Bundessicherheitsrat, the government body that authorizes Germany's arms export licenses.

The German lawyers pursuing the case are supported by civil society organizations such as the European Legal Support Center, the Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy, and Law for Palestine under the Justice and Accountability for Palestine Initiative. In addition, Nora Rogab, an activist with Gaza relatives, is among the plaintiffs in the case.

According to a Reuters report, German defence export approvals to Israel have increased nearly tenfold since October 7. And as of November 2, Israel has been approved to import close to €323 million worth of German defence equipment