BERLIN (Dispatches) -- A poll conducted by Deutschland Trend for ARD television shows that 66 percent of Germans want their government to apply greater pressure on Israel to halt its ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip.
The results came the same week German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a halt to the export of any military equipment to Israel that could be used in the Gaza Strip, effective until further notice.
The decision reportedly came in response to the outrage of the German people and global political condemnation received by Israel’s allies, especially the recent announcement of a plan by Israeli forces to fully occupy Gaza City.
The desire for more pressure to be applied on Israel to end its genocide has been on an upward trend since last year, when a Forsa Institute poll showed 57 percent of participants wanted greater pressure on Israel.
The Deutschland Trend poll also showed 47 percent of Germans believe their government is not doing enough for Palestinians. 
Only 31 percent said Germany has a special responsibility toward Israel due to historic events - namely Germany’s role in the Holocaust - while 62 percent disagreed.
The recent decision by Mer to halt arms transfers to Israel was described by Muriel Asborg, a researcher at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, as a “warning shot” that does not mark a fundamental shift in policy. 
She noted that Berlin continues to resist stronger measures urged by some European states and by members of the ruling coalition, including the Social Democratic Party, which has called for broader sanctions against Israel.
The contrast in Germany’s outlook towards Israel is also reflected in the media.
Der Spiegel accused Israel of violating international humanitarian law and condemning Berlin’s complicity in the onslaught against Gaza.
On the other hand, right-wing Bild has defended Israel’s actions, and even denied that a famine was happening in Gaza, and attacked Merz over the arms export halt. 
Analysts link Berlin’s unwillingness to adopt a harsher stance to political, economic, and security considerations beyond historical factors, citing its close alignment with Tel Aviv and Washington, its role as Israel’s second-largest arms supplier, and its dependence on Israeli weapons systems such as the Arrow-3.