403
Sorry!!
Error! We're sorry, but the page you were looking for doesn't exist.
Germany Stays Silent on Volkswagen-Israel Defense Deal Reports
(MENAFN) The German government stopped short of dismissing reports linking Volkswagen to Israeli defense production, offering only carefully worded non-answers Thursday when pressed by Anadolu on whether the automaker's Osnabruck facility could be repurposed for military industry use.
A government spokesperson acknowledged that Berlin had "taken note of the media reports," pivoting instead to broader remarks about the auto industry navigating a period of sweeping transformation amid "tough international competition."
"As the Federal Government, we naturally welcome initiatives that help secure jobs in Germany," the spokesperson said, adding that the government is continuing to closely monitor developments in the automotive sector.
The spokesperson pointed to a high-level summit held last year, which brought together senior officials, major automakers, and the federal states housing their facilities — resulting in a package of measures designed to shore up the struggling sector. Despite this, the spokesperson declined to engage directly with the substance of the reports.
The deflection extended beyond the chancellery. When Anadolu separately raised the question of potential defense procurement discussions, the German Defense Ministry similarly refused to either confirm or deny that such talks were underway.
A ministry spokesperson indicated that publicly available information on the Iron Dome system could be found on official government websites, but stressed that any procurement negotiations — if they existed at all — would remain confidential until formally disclosed following parliamentary approval.
"Please do not interpret this as a statement either denying or confirming the existence of such considerations; this is simply a confidential matter," the spokesperson said.
Recent media coverage has cast a spotlight on the possibility of Volkswagen facilities being drawn into Israel-linked defense manufacturing — yet German authorities have so far refused to address the core allegations head-on, leaving critical questions pointedly unanswered.
A government spokesperson acknowledged that Berlin had "taken note of the media reports," pivoting instead to broader remarks about the auto industry navigating a period of sweeping transformation amid "tough international competition."
"As the Federal Government, we naturally welcome initiatives that help secure jobs in Germany," the spokesperson said, adding that the government is continuing to closely monitor developments in the automotive sector.
The spokesperson pointed to a high-level summit held last year, which brought together senior officials, major automakers, and the federal states housing their facilities — resulting in a package of measures designed to shore up the struggling sector. Despite this, the spokesperson declined to engage directly with the substance of the reports.
The deflection extended beyond the chancellery. When Anadolu separately raised the question of potential defense procurement discussions, the German Defense Ministry similarly refused to either confirm or deny that such talks were underway.
A ministry spokesperson indicated that publicly available information on the Iron Dome system could be found on official government websites, but stressed that any procurement negotiations — if they existed at all — would remain confidential until formally disclosed following parliamentary approval.
"Please do not interpret this as a statement either denying or confirming the existence of such considerations; this is simply a confidential matter," the spokesperson said.
Recent media coverage has cast a spotlight on the possibility of Volkswagen facilities being drawn into Israel-linked defense manufacturing — yet German authorities have so far refused to address the core allegations head-on, leaving critical questions pointedly unanswered.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Most popular stories
Market Research
More Story
Comments
No comment