German civil servants urge government stop arm deliveries to Israel

A group of German civil servants have called on the country's government to "cease arm deliveries to the Israeli government with immediate effect".

The letter, first reported on by Al Jazeera and shared with Sky News, said: "Israel is committing crimes in Gaza that are in clear contradiction to international law and thus to the constitution, which we are bound to as federal civil servants and public employees.

"In view of Germany's historical responsibility in connection with several genocides committed by Germany in recent history, we therefore see it as the duty of the German government to fulfill its historical responsibility and immediately end its one-sided support for Israel, which is contrary to international law, and to at least partially restore Germany's reputation, which has been severely damaged as a result."

The statement demanded that the German government put pressure on Israel for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and that it renew payments to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. 

It also urged that the government "actively and resolutely advocates for the recognition of a Palestinian state" within the internationally recognised 1967 borders.

The statement said it was not disclosing the identities of those who signed it, saying they "fear criminalisation and penalisation".